This Day in Texas History: Space Shuttle Explosion Kills Texas Astronaut and Crew January 28, 1986 On this day in 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after takeoff. Seven American astronauts were killed, including Texas resident Judith Arlene Resnik. The world watched as, 73 seconds into its flight, Challenger broke apart in a violent…
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This Day in Texas History: Fifty Cent Act Repealed January 22, 1883 On this day in 1883, the Fifty Cent Act was repealed. The act, advocated by Governor O. M. Roberts and passed in July 1879, provided for the selling of Texas land for fifty cents an acre, with one-half of the proceeds to be…
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This Day in Texas History: Mason County Courthouse Burns January 21, 1877 On this day in 1877, the Mason County courthouse burned, destroying all early county records, including those pertaining to the Mason County War. This deadly episode began as a feud over cattle rustling but grew into a conflict between the Anglo and German…
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This Day in Texas History: First Appearance of Popeye January 17, 1929 On this day in 1929, Popeye, the Sailor Man, renowned comic-strip character, first appeared in print. The Victoria Advocate is credited as the first newspaper in the nation to run Elzie Crisler Segar’s comic strip, originally called “Thimble Theatre,” which starred the spinach-eating…
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This Day in Texas History: Big Brazos Bridge Opens in Waco January 7, 1870 On this day in 1870, the Waco Suspension Bridge, a 475-foot structure that crosses the Brazos River in downtown Waco, was opened to traffic. At the time, it was one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. Civil engineer Thomas…
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This Day in Texas History: Elvis Plays Lubbock’s Cotton Club January 6, 1955 On this day in 1955, Elvis Presley, while on the Louisiana Hayride tour played the Cotton Club in Lubbock. The up-and-coming, but still largely unknown, Elvis Presley officially joined the Louisiana Hayride with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black on November 6, 1954.…
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