On Dec. 6, 1865, the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, abolishing slavery, was ratified as Georgia became the 27th state to endorse it. In 1907, at least 361 men and boys died in a coal mine explosion in Monongah, West Virginia; it was the worst mining disaster in U.S. history.

This November, Texas voters will decide 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution. Only lawmakers can place amendments on the ballot in Texas. Each proposal must clear both the House and Senate with a two-thirds vote before going to voters.