On this day: Record low cold in 1980, and a terrible rodeo accident in 1981

It was March 2nd 1980, when Houston saw a record low temperature. The mercury hit 22 degrees in the early morning hours. Water fountains were covered in icicles and the freezing temperatures caused an epidemic of broken pipes across the city.

March 2nd 1981 didn't have near the cold temperatures as the year before. Topping the news that day was a horrible accident at the Houston Rodeo. During the relay race two riders collided while trying to hand off the baton. Two riders were thrown to the ground, with one of them suffering a serious head injury.

Here's the story from that day.


The Rodeo no longer has the relay race event.