November 13th in 1855, preacher Mansell Matthews delivered a powerful speech on “the evils of intemperance” in Rockwall, Texas. This marked an early effort to address the issue of alcohol abuse in the state.
In 1863, Josefa (Chipita) Rodríguez was sentenced to death for the murder of John Savage, making her the only woman legally hanged in Texas for many years. Her case remains a fascinating and tragic part of Texas history.
In 1947, John Westbrook was born in Groesbeck, TX. He went on to become the first African-American to play varsity football in the Southwest Conference while studying at Baylor University, breaking down racial barriers in the sport.
The King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, performed in Dallas, TX in 1971, leaving a lasting impact on the city’s music scene.
In 1981, President Reagan attended the “Salute to a Stronger American” Dinner in Houston, TX, highlighting the state’s importance in national politics and events.
In 2010, TCU hosted its final game at the original 80-year-old Amon G. Stadium before undergoing a $105 million renovation. The stadium reopened in 2012, solidifying its place in Texas sports history.