1. In 1836, Sam Houston was elected as the first President of the Republic of Texas. Houston had already served as the General of the Texas army during the Battle of San Jacinto and became a respected figure in Texas history.

2. In 1882, James E. Ferguson was born in Bell County, Texas. He served as the governor of Texas two times, first from 1915 to 1917 and then from 1917 to 1921. His controversial tenure in office led to his impeachment and removal from office in 1917.

3. In 1957, a federal court order was issued requiring the integration of black students into all-white schools in Texas. This was a landmark decision in the Civil Rights Movement, and it helped to push forward the cause of desegregation in Texas and across the country.

4. In 1977, the World's largest Christmas stocking was made in Fort Worth, Texas. The stocking measured 35.75 meters long and 14.97 meters wide, and it was able to hold over 1,000 presents.

5. In 2009, Hurricane Ike made landfall in Texas, causing massive destruction and leaving millions of people without power for several days. The hurricane caused widespread flooding, destroyed thousands of homes, and killed over 100 people. The storm had a significant impact on Texas and the Gulf Coast region, and it serves as a reminder of the power and unpredictability of nature.