January 22nd in 1837, the steamboat Laura made history by becoming the first steamer to arrive in Houston, marking a significant milestone in the state’s transportation and trade history.
In 1883, the Fifty Cent Act, which allowed for Texas public lands to be sold for 50 cents an acre to fund the Permanent School Fund and reduce public debt, was repealed due to fraudulent land speculation. This event had a major effect on the management of the state’s public lands and finances.
In more recent history, in 2001, authorities captured four of the “Texas 7” in Woodland Park, CO, acting on a tip. The “Texas 7” were a group of convicts who had escaped from a Texas prison and were on the run, creating a nationwide manhunt. This capture was a significant moment in law enforcement and brought closure to a high-profile case.