On this day in 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after takeoff. On board was Texas astronaut Judith Arlene Resnik. Seventeen years later (on Feb. 1, 2003) the space shuttle Columbia disentegrated over Texas as it prepared for landing. The vapor trail following the disaster was visible over much of the state, and many citizens took part in search and recovery efforts.

• Ask several people if they remember where they were when the Challenger and/or Columbia were lost. How did it affect or impact them?
• This would be a great time to plan a field trip to the Johnson Space Center in Houston (http://www.spacecenter.org/).
• Three space shuttles–Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavor–are still flying. The shuttle program was scheduled to retire this year (2010)–the final chapter in a significant era of history. Learn more about the history of the program and efforts by some to extend space shuttle flights.

This is history in the making!

The Space Shuttles is a post from: News Around Texas

Read more about his remarkable Texan:

http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/MM/fmu13.html

http://www.audiemurphy.com/welcome.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audie_Murphy

Audie Murphy became a beloved Hollywood hero after his military career ended. He starred in The Red Badge of Courage, which has become a classic. Your local video rental shop or your local library should be able to help you find a copy.

Audie Murphy is a post from: News Around Texas

Nor was Austin…or Waterloo…the first or even the last Texas capital. The first capital of the republic was Columbia– then Houston, temporarily–then LaGrange, almost. President Sam Houston vetoed that. His successor, Mirabeau B. Lamar, suggested Waterloo. And during his second term as president, Houston ordered the government back to Houston and made Washington-on-the-Brazos capital by executive order. The capital returned to Austin in 1845, but it took two votes, the last in 1872, to make the decision permanent.

Waterloo–Capital of Texas is a post from: News Around Texas

Birthday of Popeye is a post from: News Around Texas

To celebrate this important milestone, your family might enjoy a field trip to Beaumont at the heart of the East Texas oilfields. The Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday 10-5 and Sunday from 1-5. (Note that they are closed on Mondays.) Admission is a very reasonable $3 for adults, $1 for children.

Visit their website (http://www.spindletop.org/) for more information, maps, and contact numbers.

109th Anniversary of Oil in Texas is a post from: News Around Texas

Did you know you can subscribe to receive these short posts automatically? With a simple click of the mouse, these articles can become part of your Google homepage, Google reader list, or even have them sent to your email account.

While your family studies Texas history, why not sign up and make learning together a daily habit?

Today in Texas History is a post from: News Around Texas

Three shallow drilling attempts over the previous six years had been costly failures, but Anthony Lucas and Pattillo Higgins believed there was oil beneath the salt dome. In October 1900, they spudded a new well. On January 10th mud began to bubble up, and startled roughnecks fled as the 4″ drilling pipe, weighing more than 6 tons, came shooting out of the hole! There were a few quiet minutes before the Lucas geyser, 1139 feet below the surface, spewed a fountain of oil over 100 feet into the sky. Spindletop continued to gush 100,ooo barrels a day for nine days until the well was capped.

The population of Beaumont doubled and then doubled again almost overnight. Petroleum companies such as Texaco, Magnolia, and Exxon sprang to prosperity and power. This discovery marked the birth of modern transportation, and even the production of plastic products.  Though this day is little remembered, the discovery of abundant, affordable oil in Texas changed the world.

A Day that Changed the World is a post from: News Around Texas

Visit the Save Texas History website (http://www.glo.state.tx.us/OC/savetxhist/education.html) to enjoy their educational and entertaining This Week in Texas History™ recordings that tell the “lesser known” stories that made Texas great.

Professionally produced weekly episodes are provided free for educational use.

This Week in Texas History is a post from: News Around Texas

http://www.glo.state.tx.us/OC/savetxhist/education.html

http://www.glo.state.tx.us/OC/savetxhist/pdf/STH-essay-PR-FINAL-11-19-09.pdf

One grand prize winner per grade will receive round-trip airline tickets for four to San Antonio from any Southwest Airlines destination in Texas, hotel accomodations for two nights, a tour of the Alamo and tickets for additional attractions.

Ten other finalists will win Save Texas History packpacks, a certificate of appreciation signed by Commissioner Patterson and a historic map replica from the Land Office Archives Collection.

Essays will be judged on originality of idea, cohesiveness of thought and organization. Proper grammar, spelling and punctuation count.

All essays must be postmarked by January 30, 2010. All public, private and home-schooled students of appropriate age for the fourth grade or seventh grade are eligible to participate.

Save Texas History Essay Contest is a post from: News Around Texas

Frohe Weinachten!

However you say it, we wish you blessings as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Merry Christmas! is a post from: News Around Texas