-
Mexico Independence
A priest of the small town called Dolores, Guanajuato, rang the bell to gather townspeople and called for the people to rise up against the Spanish crown, imitating war. Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821. The war is now known as the Mexican War of Independence and it lasted from 1810 to 1821. -
Texas Independent of Mexico
The Declaration of November 7, 1835, was intended to gain support for the Texan cause from the other states of Mexico. The declaration asked for Mexican statehood for Texas and vowed to make war until the Constitution of 1824. -
Texas Annexed by United States
After Texas gained independence from Mexico, Texas became its own country, called the Republic of Texas. It remain independent for nine years. Texas was annexed by the United States, becoming the 28th state. And was also admitted as a slave state. -
Mexican-American War Begins
When Texas was annexed by the United States, it caused an uproar in Mexico. This steam, amongst religious/cultural differences, and border disputes, provoked the Mexican-American War. -
Gold In California
Days before the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed, which ended the Mexican-American War, gold was discovered in California. California already belonged to the United States. The California Gold Rush provided a renewed passion to the idea of Manifest Destiny. The Gold Rush encouraged people around the country, even the world, to head too California. -
Gadsden Purchase
The Gadsden Purchase was an agreement between the United States and Mexico. Within this treaty, the United States agreed to pay Mexico $10 million for a 29,670 square mile portion of Mexico. That portion is now known as Arizona and New Mexico. Gadsden’s Purchase provided land which the south used as a transcontinental railroad. -
Texas Secedes
Texas becomes the 7th state to secede the Union. Reasons for seceding includes state's rights, sectionalism, slavery and the election on 1860. -
Juneteenth
January 1, 1863 enslaved and free African Americans gathered within churches across the country waiting to hear the Emancipation Proclamation. "Prayers were answered as all enslaved people in Confederate States were declared legally free." The Emancipation Proclamation was effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in states still under Confederate control. Such as Texas, enslaved people would not be free until June 19, 1865. -
Geronimo Surrenders
Apache leader Geronimo surrenders to U.S. government troops on September 4, 1886. He battled to protect his tribe's homeland for 30 years. This signaled the end of the Indian Wars in the southwest. -
The Galveston Hurricane
"The deadliest natural disaster in American history remains the 1900 hurricane in the island city of Galveston, Texas. On September 8, a category four hurricane descended on the town, destroying more than 3,600 buildings with winds surpassing 135 miles per hour." The estimated death toll range is 6,000 to 12,000. Galveston was never able to make a full recovery from this hurricane. This disaster was a wake-up call, needing better communication to help keep people safe.