‘Freedom Over Texas’ Turns 29
July 4, 1986: On this day, Houston put on the mayor’s first official July 4th celebration, calling it “Freedom over Texas”. The city’s largest July 4th party is now in its 29th year and takes place in...
View Article‘Fifth Beatle’ Billy Preston Tops Billboard Chart
July 7, 1973: On this day, Billy Preston’s single “Will It Go Round in Circles” hit number one on the Billboard charts. Preston was a prodigy organist and showman, and he’s been referred to as the...
View ArticleTestimony Begins in Trial of ‘Candy Man’ Accomplice
July 8, 1974: On this day, testimony began in 18-year-old Elmer Wayne Henley’s trial, the teen co-accomplice of Dean Corll aka the “Candy Man;” a Heights resident who was known to give out candy from...
View ArticleAstrodome Host to All-Star Game First
July 9, 1968: On this day, the best players in baseball, like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Mickey Mantle and Pete Rose, gathered at the Astrodome for the 39th annual All-Star Game. This was the first the...
View ArticlePresident Bush Shows Houston to the World
July 10, 1990: On this day, the leaders of the world’s seven major industrial democracies met in Houston for the 16th G7 Summit. The three-day event not only put Houston in the global spotlight, but it...
View ArticleBarbara Jordan Delivers Keynote Speech at DNC
July 13, 1992: On this day, Houston native Barbara Jordan delivered a Keynote speech on the opening night of the Democratic National Convention. She received a standing ovation, and the audience...
View ArticleAstros’ Slugger Joins Exclusive Club
July 14, 1967: On this day, slugger Eddie Mathews hit his 500th home run on the road at Candlestick Park against Giants’ ace Juan Marichal. At the time, Mathews became just the seventh person in major...
View ArticleAli and Frazier Cross Paths in Houston
July 15, 1971: On this day, the newly crowned World Heavyweight Champion, Joe Frazier, was in town for an exhibition fight at the Astrodome. Also in town was Muhammad Ali, the “Fight of the Century”...
View ArticleBefore Moon Landing, Apollo 11 Families Go to Church
July 20, 1969: On this day, spaceflight Apollo 11 safely and successfully landed on the moon. Leading up to touchdown, there was fear that the mission would have to be aborted. Even Neil Armstrong...
View ArticlePresident Nixon: We’ll Find Alien Life by Year 2000
July 23, 1969: On this day, the Chronicle reported that just as we were crossing the finish line of the Space Race, President Richard Nixon announced that Earthmen will find life in other worlds by the...
View Article
