January 27th in 1835, the Holland Lodge No. 36 was chartered in Brazoria, marking the establishment of the first Masonic lodge in Texas. This event paved the way for the spread of Freemasonry throughout the state.
In 1928, Marshall Ratliff was convicted for his involvement in the infamous “Santa Claus Bank Robbery.” Wearing a Santa Claus outfit, Ratliff robbed a bank in Cisco, TX, creating a notorious reputation for the small town.
1944 saw the heroic actions of Eli Whiteley, a Texan born in Georgetown. Whiteley was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery and leadership during combat in Sigolsheim, France. Despite suffering severe wounds, he singlehandedly killed nine German soldiers and captured 23.
On the entertainment front, in 1971, music legend David Bowie made his first visit to the U.S. During his time in Texas and Louisiana, he garnered attention for wearing dresses, setting the stage for his iconic image.