| Vol 8, No 99 | April 9, 1865 | Sunday Evening |
On this date in 1888, Chicago Cubs pitcher, James "Hippo" Vaughn was born in Weatherford. During the 1910s and 20s, Vaughn pitch five 20 win seasons. But he is best remembered for dueling it out with Fred Toney on May of 1917, in the only 9-inning "double no-hitter" in major league history.
(1965)
On this date in 1965, the Houston Astros played the New York Yankees in the new Astrodome. This exhibition game was the first baseball game played in Astrodome, and the first baseball game in history to be played indoors.
(1978)
Needing 58 points to win the season scoring title over David Thompson, San Antonio Spur, George Girvin scored 53 points at halftime, and another 10 in the third quarter of the Spur's regular season game to win the 1978 scoring title, on this date in 1978. Girvin sat out the final quarter, and the Spurs lost the game to New Orleans 153-132.
(1950)
On this date in 1950, astronaut Kenneth D Cockrell was born in Austin. During his NASA career, Cockrell logged 1,560 hours in space, serving on five Space Shuttle missions.
(1865)
On this date in 1865, the leader of the Confederate forces, General Robert E Lee, formally surrendered at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, officially ending the Civil War.
(1980)
On this date in 1954, WBAP-TV in Fort Worth broadcast the first colorcast in Texas. At the time there were no more than 100 color televisions in all of Dallas and Fort Worth.
(1682)
In the winter of 1682 René-Robert-Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle sledded down the frozen Illinois River to its mouth at the Mississippi. Then when the Mississippi was free of ice, canoed down the river to its mouth, reaching it on it Eastern passes on April 7, 1682. LaSalle then claimed for France all the lands drained by the river, naming this territory La Louisiane for the King of France, Louis XIV. Settlers followed, from Canada, Nova Scotia and France, creating towns along the river, most notably New Orleans.
(1836)
On this date in 1836, General Santa Anna's army in pursuit of the Texas army under Sam Houston reached the Brazos River. Wishing to avoid a direct attack of the Texans at the river crossing, his men head South in search of Thompson's Ferry.
(1919)
On this date in 1919, tornados in West and Northeast Texas kill over 60 and injure hundreds. Ector, Fannin, Henderson, Van Zandt, Camp and Red River Counties are hit the worst.
(1947)
One of the largest tornadoes on record struck the Texas Panhandle on this date in 1947. The "Tri-State Tornado", was reported to be between one and two miles wide and traveled over 200 miles in three states.