Texas History Timeline

Explorer La Salle builds french colony at Lavaca Bay

Spain builds outpost in East Texas to block french trespass

Spain concentrates its power in Texas at San Antonio

Presidio and missions built at Goliad to protect Texas Coast

U.S. purchases Louisiana from France

Mexico gains independence from Spain

Stephen F. Austin begins colonization of lower Colorado-Brazos rivers

Texas and Coahuilla joined as a single Mexican state. Many anglos move to Texas.

Texas petitions for separation from Coahuilla

General Santa Anna becomes dictator of Mexico and changes peaceful laws

(June) Texas rebels defeat Mexican forces at Fort Anahuac

(Oct.) First shots of Texas revolution fired in Gonzales

(Oct.) Sam Houston is ordered to raise an army.

(late) Texans seize Presido La Bahia at Goliad and San Antonio

(Dec.) Texans ratify Declaration of Independence at Goliad

(Feb 24) Seige of Alamo begins 1836 -- (March 2) Declaration of Independence presented at Washington-on-the-Brazos. 1836 -- (March 6) The Alamo falls 1836 -- (March 27) Santa Anna orders execution of troops at Goliad 1836 -- (April 15) Santa Anna burns Harrisburg 1836 -- (April 20) Sam Houston's army of 910 arrive at San Jacinto river 1836 -- (April 21) Texans defeat Santa Anna at San Jacinto 1836 -- (May 14) Texas, Mexico peace treaty signed 1836 -- (Oct. 22) Sam Houston becomes first President of the Republic of Texas

Austin becomes state capital

(Sept) Mexican General Woll captures San Antonio

Mexican-Texan truce signed

(Dec. 29) President Polk signs annexation acts allowing Texas into the United States of America

Texas joins the Confederate States of America

Confederates in Texas win the Battle of Galveston; a major confederate victory

Texas rejoins the United States of America

Population expands greatly.

Stock Market Crash

Texas Economy booms. Jobs open up in Petrochemical industry

The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center is opened

(Nov. 22) President Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas

Oil becomes big business in Texas