Artemis II crew members CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen, and NASA astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Reid Wiseman walk out of the astronaut crew quarters inside the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building to the Artemis crew transportation vehicles prior to traveling to Launch Pad 39B as part of an integrated ground systems test at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sept. 20, 2023, to test the crew timeline for launch day. credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

“Arts in Bloom is a free, family-friendly festival that invites everyone to experience the creativity and charm of Downtown McKinney. It’s a chance to enjoy art, music, and local businesses while making meaningful memories with family and friends. We love seeing the community come together to celebrate what makes our downtown so special,” said Andrew Jones, Cultural District Director. photos by Allen Rich

Families looking for a unique way to celebrate Easter weekend can step back in time when Scarborough Renaissance Festival opens its 45th season April 4 and 5, 2026, with festive holiday traditions, immersive entertainment and a full day of family-friendly adventure.

The Civil War era produced many interesting figures in Texas History. Among them was Samuel B. Maxey, a lawyer, Confederate general, and U. S. Senator born 201 years ago on March 30, 1825.

Fannin County Children's Center is incredibly excited about an upcoming promotional day in partnership with Wings Over Bonham! On Monday, April 13, Wings Over Bonham will be hosting a special event where 20% of all food ticket sales will be donated back to FCCC for customers who mention our organization. This is a wonderful opportunity to raise funds and awareness for our mission.

1855 – Origins of the American Civil War: "Border Ruffians" from Missouri invade Kansas and force election of a pro-slavery legislature. Border ruffians were proslavery raiders who crossed into the Kansas Territory from Missouri during the mid-19th century to help ensure the territory entered the United States as a slave state. Their activities formed a major part of a series of violent civil confrontations known as "Bleeding Kansas", which peaked from 1854 to 1858. Crimes committed by border ruffians included electoral fraud, intimidation, assault, property damage and murder; many border ruffians took pride in their reputation as criminals. After the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, many border ruffians fought on the side of the Confederate States of America as irregular bushwhackers. At that time, many Kansas settlers opposed slavery. However, slavery advocates were determined to have their way regardless. When elections were held, bands of armed border ruffians seized polling places, prevented Free-State men from voting, and cast votes illegally, falsely stating they were Kansas residents. Border ruffians operated from Missouri. It was said that they voted and shot in Kansas, but slept in Missouri. They not only interfered in territorial elections, but also committed outrages on Free-State settlers and destroyed their property. This violence gave the origin of the phrase "Bleeding Kansas". However, political killings and violence were exercised by both warring sides. The presence of violent bands of both Kansan and Missourian combatants made it difficult for settlers on the Kansas–Missouri border to remain neutral.