September 13th 1816, rebel envoy José Manuel de Herrera made a bold proclamation, declaring Galveston a port of the Mexican republic. He further raised the rebel flag and appointed Louis Michel Aury as the resident commissioner. This act signaled an important turning point in Texas’ fight for independence.
Moving forward to 1860, Fort Worth witnessed a tragic incident. Anthony Bewley, an abolitionist Methodist minister, was lynched after being captured by a posse and returned to Texas. This incident is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted divisions and tensions that pervaded the region during that time.
Fast forward to 1883, and another significant event occurred. Free-grass cattle raisers began cutting the fences of Mabel Doss Day’s ranch. This ranch was the first fully fenced large ranch in Texas, and the fence-cutting acts led Day to lobby for laws addressing this issue. Subsequently, in 1884, a law prohibiting fence cutting was passed, ensuring the protection of private property rights.
Moving into the 20th century, in 1935, aviator Howard Hughes, Jr., hailing from Houston, achieved a remarkable feat. He set a new airspeed record, reaching 352 mph with his H-1 airplane, also known as the Winged Bullet. This accomplishment showcased the Texan spirit of innovation and a drive for pushing boundaries.
Shifting to more recent times, on September 13th, 2003, an unfortunate incident occurred during a baseball game in Oakland, California. Frank Francisco, a relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers, threw a chair into the right field box seats, hitting two spectators on the head. The game was delayed for 19 minutes, and the Oakland Athletics ultimately emerged victorious with a 7-6 win in the 10th inning.
Finally, in 2010, a more positive occurrence marked September 13th. The Dallas City Music Hall officially opened its doors to the public, providing a venue for the city’s vibrant music scene and cultural performances.