On January 31, 1827, the Fredonian rebels fled when Mexican troops approached. The Declaration of Independence of the republic of Fredonia was signed at Nacogdoches on December 21, 1826, marking an important moment in Texas history.
In 1859, William Menger opened the Menger Hotel in San Antonio, next to the Alamo. This iconic hotel later played a significant role in the recruitment of the Rough Riders by Theodore Roosevelt in 1898.
Moving forward to 1961, voters in Houston, TX, approved financing for a domed stadium, which would become known as the Astrodome. This was a pivotal moment for sports and entertainment in the state of Texas.
In 1986, Houston was once again at the center of an important event as U.S. President Ronald Reagan spoke at a memorial service honoring the astronauts killed in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster on January 28.