Texas' Historical Milestones On This Day September 18th

September 18th in 1865, John B. Stetson designed the first real cowboy hat. This iconic headpiece became a symbol of the Wild West and was widely adopted by the Texas Rangers for its versatility and durability.

Another noteworthy event took place in 1933, when the Daughters of the Republic of Texas dedicated a new vault at Monument Hill. This act served as a tribute to the brave Texans who fought in the Battle of the Alamo and other significant historical events.

Tragically, on this day in 1929, Julius Myers, the last town crier in America, passed away in San Antonio, Texas. His unique role as a town crier, who would deliver public announcements and proclamations, became obsolete with the advancement of technology and communication methods.

The year 1944 witnessed two heroic acts in Texas history. Firstly, at Best, Holland, Lt. Robert G. Cole was killed by a sniper during "Operation Market Garden." Despite his tragic death, Cole was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions the previous day.

Similarly, in the Palau Islands, Charles Howard Roan jumped on a grenade to save his comrades. Roan's selfless act of bravery earned him several prestigious awards, including the Medal of Honor, the Purple Heart, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. To honor his memory, a Texas historical marker was placed on his family plot in the cemetery in Claude, Texas.

Moving forward to 1962, the American League held a meeting in New York to explore the possibility of establishing a major league baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. While the idea was considered promising, it was ultimately rejected by league owners, thwarting Kansas City A's owner Charley Finley's attempt to move his team to the metroplex.