EAH Key Dates in Texas History

Key Dates in Texas History

10000 BCE

First Native Americans arrive in modern/day Texas.

1519

Spain begins exploration in TX

1821

Mexico gains independence from Spain, Texas becomes Mexican territory

1822

Moses Austin secures and empresarial grant and the Old Three Hundred, group of Anglo settle in Texas

1830

Mexico restricts immigration from the US to Texas

1835

Texas Revolution begins at the battle of Gonzales

1836

Texans are defeated by Mexican army at the battle of Alamo but Texan Sam Houston defeats Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto, securing Texas independence.

1845

Texas is admitted to the United States as the 28th state.

1846

Disputes over the border between Texas and Mexico lead to the Mexican-American War.

1850

Texas takes modern day shape after selling a large portion of its territory to the federal government as part of a compromise.

1861

Texas secedes from the Union and joins the Confederate States of America.

1861-1865

Around 90,000Texans served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War.

1865

African American slaves are officially emancipated on Juneteenth two years after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

1866

The United States government passes an ordinance to nullify the actions of the Confederate States secession on March 15, followed by a proclamation of peace between the U.S. and Texas on August 20, 1866

1870

Texas is readmitted to the Union on March 30, following the Reconstruction era and after accepting the 13th 14th and 15th amendment

1876

The Texas Constitution is adopted on February 15, establishing a new government framework after Reconstruction.

1894

Oil is discovered in Texas, marking the beginning of the state's significant oil industry.

1900

The Galveston Hurricane strikes on September 8, causing widespread devastation and loss of life, leading to major city reforms.

1910

Mexican Revolution begins, causing an influx of Mexican refugees into Texas.

1924

Ma Ferguson becomes the first female governor of Texas, serving from 1925 to 1927.

1950

The Supreme Court orders desegration of public schools in Texas, following the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education.

1954

The Hernandez vs Texas case addresses discrimination against Mexican Americans.

1962

The Man Space Craft center is established in Houston, Texas, later renamed the Johnson Space Center, becoming a key site for NASA's human spaceflight program.

1963

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy occurs in Dallas, Texas, leading to national mourning and significant political repercussions.

1988

Texan George H W Bush is elected as the 41st President of the United States.

1994

Texas becomes the second most populated state after California and maintains significant economic growth.

2000

Texas holds a controversial presidential election, with George W. Bush winning the presidency.

Six Flags of Texas

Refers to the six nations that have governed Texas throughout its history: Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the United States, and the Confederacy.