1. In 1835, the Battle of Gonzales occurred, marking the beginning of the Texas Revolution. Texans refused to give up a cannon requested by Mexican troops, and the dispute escalated into a battle. The Texans won and kept the cannon as a symbol of their determination for independence.

2. In 1957, the world's first commercial nuclear power plant opened in Texas. The plant, located in Fort Bend County, generated electricity for around 45,000 homes in the Houston area.

3. In 1968, Olympic gold medalist and civil rights icon Tommie Smith set a new world record for the 200-meter dash at the Texas Relays. However, during the victory ceremony, Smith and teammate John Carlos raised their fists in a Black Power salute, leading to controversy and a backlash against the athletes.

4. In 1970, the University of Texas at Austin held its first ever Texas Book Festival. The festival has since grown to become one of the largest literary events in the country, attracting thousands of attendees and featuring hundreds of authors each year.

5. In 1986, musician Stevie Ray Vaughan, a native of Dallas, was inducted into the Texas Music Hall of Fame. Vaughan's unique blend of blues and rock music earned him a huge following, and his influence can still be heard in the music of many contemporary artists.