Today in 2018, James Harden breaks Calvin Murphy’s Houston Rockets record for most points in a game, scoring 60 in a win over Orlando, and accomplishes the first 60-point triple double in @nba.com history.

Today in 2017, @mlb.com orders the @cardinals.com to pay the Astros $2M and give them their top two draft picks for hacking Astros' scouting data.

Today in 1956, Memorial Drive opens from Downtown all the way to Shepherd, with no stoplights.

Today in 1952, the first Salt Grass Trail Ride begins in Brenham, en route to the Houston Fat Stock Show and Livestock Exposition. @houstonrodeo.bsky.social

Today in 1923, the new $1 million Majestic Theatre opens Downtown.

‪Today in 2018, Houston Symphony wins their first Grammy, for Best Opera Recording, with former Music Director Hans Graf (conductor/producer), Brad Sayles (producer), and Anne Schwanewilms & Roman Trekel (principal soloists).

Today in 1986, the space shuttle Challenger explodes after takeoff, killing the crew of seven.

Today in 1840, the Chamber of Commerce is founded. @GHPartnership

Today in 2017, the Texas Historical Commission votes to designate the Astrodome a State Antiquities Landmark.

Today in 1961, following African Americans fighting for and winning desegregation of public libraries in 1953 and city buses in 1954, city hall is quietly desegregated.

‪Today in 1839, the Texas legislature grants a charter for Houston co-founder Augustus Allen’s Houston and Brazos Rail Road Company. However, serious railway construction would not start locally until the 1850s.‬

Today in 1975, Bum Phillips is hired by the Oilers as Head Coach. #LuvYaBum

Today in 1915, Independence Heights, the first African-American municipality in Texas, is incorporated north of Houston.

Today in 2026, University of Houston men’s basketball guard Kingston Flemings sets a school single game scoring record for a freshman, with 42 points against Texas Tech. @uh.edu

Today in 2005, Freedmen's Town's landmark Bethel Baptist Church suffers a catastrophic fire.

Today in 1848, Sam Houston is sworn in to his first full term as US Senator from Texas.

Today in 2002, Enron CEO & chairman Ken Lay finally resigns, following angry calls from Wall Street.

Today in 1837, the steamship Laura, the first to travel Buffalo Bayou up to Allen’s Landing, arrives in Houston, proving that the new town could have a navigable port.

Today in 2015, City Council approves a Botanical Garden to be built at Glenbrook Park Golf Course.

Today in 1978, the Black Heritage Society hosts Houston’s first MLK Day Parade.

Today in 1971, Arlo Guthrie performs at a KPFT fundraiser following their second bombing. @kpfthouston.bsky.social

Today in 1963, Houston Rockets’ legendary center Hakeem Olajuwon is born.

Today in 1989, former Houston congressman and former Vice President George HW Bush is inaugurated U. S. President.

Today in 1968, University of Houston Men’s Basketball team beats UCLA in the televised Game of the Century in the Astrodome.

Today in 1839, President Lamar chooses to move the Republic of Texas capital from Houston to Waterloo (now Austin).

Today in 2026, Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant passes Dirk Nowitzki to claim sixth place on the all time NBA scoring list. @nba.com

Today in 2011, University of Houston is designated a Tier One research university.

Today in 1976, Houston Public Library's new Central Branch has its opening ceremony. @houstonlibrary

Today in 1930, Houston reaches its lowest recorded temperature at 5°.

Today in 1927, Brookesmith and Sunset Heights are annexed by the City of Houston.

Photo by Pierre Lavie. Yes this is me. And I threw my Leica. It landed on the bass plate with hardly a scratch. Another Photographer grabbed it along with my phone and I was able to track him later. I was held face down tear gas deployed right in front of me and pepper sprayed directly into the eye.

Today in 1870, the Gregory Institute for Colored Children is dedicated in Freedmen's Town.

‪Today in 1978, NASA selects the first 6 women astronauts. The Class of ‘78 also includes African American and Asian American astronauts.

Today in 1971, ZZ Top’s 1st album drops, aptly titled “ZZ Top’s First Album.”

Today in 1950, dancer, choreographer, actor, and producer Debbie Allen is born in Houston.

‪Today in 2016, MATCH, the Midtown performance venue, has its Grand Opening party.

Today in 1974, Mies van der Rohe's Modernist landmark, MFAH Brown Pavilion, has its Grand Opening.

‪Today in 1979, The Glassell School of Art opens to the public, the first time the school would have a home of its own in its 52-year history.

Today in 1974, Houston hosts Super Bowl VIII at Rice Stadium.

Today in 2004, pitcher Roger Clemens un-retires, signs 1-year, $5-million deal with the Astros. @houstonastros.bsky.social

‪Today in 2017, Houston City Council approves renaming Dowling Street to Emancipation Avenue.

Today in 1984, Matt Mullenweg, who developed the popular web software WordPress, is born in Houston.

Today in 1956, singer/songwriter Robert Earl Keen, who attended Sharpstown High School, is born. @robertearlkeen1.bsky.social

Today in 1964, the Sam Houston 5-cent postage stamp is issued.

Today in 1964, the Houston Endowment breaks ground for the yet-to-be-named Jones Hall.

Today in 1901, the first major oil wells come in at Spindletop, south of Beaumont, marking the birth of the oil industry in Texas.

Today in 1870, the first Chinese immigrants, 247 working on the Central Railroad, arrive in Houston.

Today in 2026, Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant passes Wilt Chamberlain to claim seventh place on the all time NBA scoring list.