1. In 1836, the Battle of Nacogdoches took place, leading to the removal of the Mexican garrison from the city and the establishment of the Republic of Texas's rule there.
2. In 1873, the University of Texas at Austin opened its doors to students, making it the oldest public university in Texas.
3. In 1900, a devastating hurricane hit Galveston, killing over 6,000 people and destroying much of the city. It remains one of the deadliest natural disasters in US history.
4. In 1960, American musician and actor Jimmie Rodgers (known as the "Father of Country Music") was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Rodgers was born in Meridian, Mississippi but spent much of his early career performing in Texas.
5. In 2019, Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey tweeted support for anti-government protesters in Hong Kong, sparking backlash from Chinese officials and leading to the NBA's strained relationship with China.