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The Great Hurricane
Destroys much of Galveston and kills 6,000 people . -
Oil Found
Oil found by mining engineer Capt. A.F. Lucas at Spindletop near Beaumont catapults Texas into the petroleum age. -
Poll Tax required
Poll tax becomes a requirement for voting. -
Texans votes for US senator in the Democratic primary
Texans votes for US senator in the Democratic primary, although the Texas legislature retains ultimate appointment authority, primary voters can express their preferences. -
Lt. Benjamin D. Foulois flies in a Wright Brothers Plane
Lt. Benjamin D. Foulois makes first military air flight in a Wright brothers plane at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. -
Mexican civil war spills across the border
Mexican civil war spills across the border, as refugees seek safety, combatants seek each other, and Texas settlements are raided for supplies by all sides in the fighting. Pancho Villa and his followers are active along the border during some of this time, and ends in 1920. -
World War I
World War I started in 1917, and ended in 1918. -
Gov. James Ferguson is impeached and convicted
James Ferguson is impeached and convicted; he leaves office. -
Texas women win the right to vote
March-Texas women win the right to vote primary elections. -
Annie Webb Blanton becomes the first women elected to a statewide office
Annie Webb Blanton becomes the first women elected to a statewide office when she is elected State Superintendent of Public Instruction. -
Gov. William P. Hobby vetoes appropriations
Responding to anti-German sentiment, Gov. William P. Hobby vetoes appropriations for German Dept. of The University of Texas. -
Texans adopt a prohibition amendment
Texans adopt a prohibition amendment to the state constitution. -
Large-scale agricultural begins in the High Plains
Large-scale agricultural irrigation begins in the High Plains. -
Miriam “Ma” Ferguson becomes Texas’ first women governor,
Miriam “Ma” Ferguson becomes Texas’ first women governor, serving as a figurehead for her husband, former Gov. James E. Ferguson. -
Texas Tech University begins classes in Lubbock
Texas Tech University begins classes in Lubbock as Texas Technological College. -
The Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention is held in Houston, the first nominating convention held in a Southern city since 1860, and ended on the 29th of June. -
The Daisy Bradford #3 well drilled
The Daisy Bradford #3 well, drilled near Turner in Rusk County by wildcatter C.M. (Dad) Joiner, blows in, heralding the discovery of the huge East Texas Oil Field. -
Federal prohibition was repealed
Two years after federal prohibition was repealed, Texas voters ratify the repeal of the state’s prohibition law. -
Texas Centennial Exposition
Texas Centennial Exposition opens at Dallas’ Fair Park; it runs until Nov.29. -
World War II
World War II started in 1941, and ended in 1945. -
A race riot in Beaumont
A race riot in Beaumont leads to a declaration of martial law. leads to a declaration of martial law. -
The French-owned SS Grandcamp explosion
The French-owned SS Grandcamp, carrying ammonium nitrate, explodes in the Texas City harbor, followed the next morning by the explosion of the SS High Flyer. The disaster kills almost 600 injuries and at least 4000 more. The concussion is felt 75 miles away in Port Arthur, and the force creates a 15-foot tidal wave. -
Lyndon B. Johnson beats Coke Stevenson in the US Senate race
Lyndon B. Johnson beats Coke Stevenson in the US Senate race by 87 votes. The winning margin in the disputed primary is registered in Ballot Box No. 13 in Jim Wells County.
