Today in 2026, Astros 2B Jose Altuve plays in his 2000th MLB game, all with the Astros. @mlb.com

Today in 2015, Houston Chronicle columnist Lisa Falkenberg wins a Pulitzer Prize, a first for the newspaper. @houstonchronicle.com

Today in 1998, a portion of Buffalo Bayou Park is renamed in honor of city council member Eleanor Tinsley.

Today in 1839, local merchants clear five miles of brush along Buffalo Bayou in the first upgrade of the waterway.

Today in 1891, Benjamin Harrison, the first sitting US president to visit Houston, arrives by train, lunches at the Capitol Hotel.

Today in 1970, Houston, we have a splashdown. Apollo 13 aborted lunar mission returns safely to Earth.

Today in 1953, African-American Jack Caesar’s house is bombed after he moves into Riverside Terrace.

Today in 1997, City Council votes unanimously to rename Houston Intercontinental Airport for former President George HW Bush.

Today in 1874, the Sixth Ward is created out of the Fourth Ward, above Buffalo Bayou.

Today in 2011, Oveta Culp Hobby is the first Houstonian to be featured on a US postage stamp.

Today in 1985, the Water Wall is dedicated at the foot of Transco Tower.

Today in 1926, the Majestic Metro Theatre opens Downtown as the Ritz Theater.

Today in 1836, Harrisburg is evacuated ahead of General Santa Anna’s Mexican Army, who burned it down the next day.

Today in 2012, Asia Society Texas Center opens in the Museum District. @asiasocietytx.bsky.social

Today in 2008, Downtown urban park Discovery Green opens.

Today in 1924, legendary muralist John Biggers, who would serve as the founding chairman of the Art Department at Texas Southern University, is born.

Today in 1953, Houstonian Oveta Culp Hobby is named the first Secretary of Health, Education, & Welfare. @hhsgov.govmirrors.com

Today in 1837, the Telegraph and Texas Register newspaper moves to Houston.

Today in 1926, the Niels Esperson Building cornerstone is laid.

Today in 2016, White Oak Music Hall hosts its first show, M83.

Today in 1988, the first official Art Car Parade rolls Downtown at the Houston International Festival.

Today in 1984, Terms of Endearment, set and filmed in Houston, wins 5 Oscars.

Today in 1965, the Astrodome opens with the Houston Astros vs. the New York Yankees in the first indoor baseball game.

Today in 1840, the city buys 5 acres in the First Ward for the first City Cemetery.

Today in 1975, the Astros debut their iconic rainbow uniforms. #tequilasunrise

Today in 1931, novelist and co-founder of University of Houston Creative Writing Program Donald Barthelme is born.

Today in 1986, Houston celebrates its 150th birthday with Rendez-Vous Houston concert & light show.

Today in 1986, The Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden, designed by legendary sculptor Isamu Noguchi, with works by Auguste Rodin, Henri Matisse, Ellsworth Kelly, and Louise Bourgeois, opens today on the MFAH campus with a performance by John Cage.

Today in 1969, Dr. Denton Cooley implants a prototype artificial heart into Haskell Karp.

Today in 1944, Houston dentist Lonnie Smith wins in Supreme Court’s Smith v. Allwright, giving blacks the right to vote in the Texas primaries.