1. On September 15, 1836, the Republic of Texas elected its first president, Sam Houston. Houston had been a key figure in the Texas Revolution and would go on to lead the new nation for two terms.

2. On September 15, 1862, the Battle of Sabine Pass was fought during the American Civil War. A small Confederate force led by Lieutenant Richard Dowling successfully defended the Sabine River from a Union invasion force, marking a significant victory for the Confederacy.

3. September 15, 1887, marks the birthday of Texas oilman and philanthropist Sid W. Richardson. Richardson made his fortune in the oil industry and later used his wealth to support education and the arts in Texas.

4. In 1963, on September 15, the Texas International Pop Festival was held in Lewisville, Texas. The festival featured performances by some of the most popular rock bands of the day, including Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin, and Santana.

5. On September 15, 2008, Hurricane Ike made landfall in Galveston, Texas, causing widespread damage and leaving millions without power. The storm was one of the costliest in Texas history, causing an estimated $29.5 billion in damages.