January 13th in 1983, President Reagan made an appearance in Dallas, TX, where he addressed the 64th annual American Farm Bureau Federation at the Dallas Convention Center and also visited the North Texas Food Bank. This visit showcased the president’s interest in agriculture and food security, highlighting the importance of these issues in Texas.
Going back further in history, in 1871, JosĂ© Antonio Navarro, a prominent Mexican participant in the Texas Revolution, passed away. He was one of three Mexican signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence, and his contributions to the state’s history have not been forgotten.
In the realm of law and order, in 1939, the notorious Big Thicket outlaw Thomas “Red” Jefferson Golemon was arrested for the first time, marking a significant event in the state’s criminal history.
Moving to politics, in 1840, Edwin Waller was elected as the first mayor of Austin, setting the stage for the city’s governance and development.
On a more modern note, in 1974, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport officially opened its doors, becoming a crucial transportation hub for the state and the country.
To round off the day, in 1997, renowned black jazz clarinetist and bandleader Willie Lewis, who hailed from Texas, passed away. His musical legacy continues to inspire and influence artists to this day.