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May 1, 1519
First Texas coast map
Alonso Alvarez de Pineda maps the Texas Coast. -
Jun 6, 1541
Vasquez crosses the Texas panhandle
Explorers Francisco Vesquez de Coronado crosses the Texas panhandle. -
Apr 6, 1554
Treasure Fleet Shipwreck
A Spanish treasure fleet shipwrecks off present day Padre Island. -
Jun 4, 1581
Gallegos Writes about Jumano Indians
Spaniard Hernan Gallegos writes about the lives of the Jumano indians in Texas. -
Juan De Onate to Quivira
Juan De Onate crosses the Texas Panhandle on his way to Quivira. -
Indians riding horses
Spaniards first record seeing Apache indians riding horses. -
La Salle-Matagorda Bay
A group of colonists led by French explorer Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle lands in Matagorda Bay in Texas. -
San Francisco
The Spanish build a mission named San Francisco de los Tejas -
Valero
Martin de Alarcon establishes the San Antonio de Valero Mission. -
Canary Island Settlers
Settlers from the Canary Islands arrive in San Antonio. -
Laredo
Rancher Thomas Sanchez establishes the town of Laredo. -
Rubi Expedition
The Marques de Rubi expedition begins. -
Nacogdoches Founded
Antonio Gil Ybarbo founds the town of Nacogdoches in east Texas. -
Priest Morfi Dies
Spanish priest Juan Agustin Morfi Author of the history of Texas 1673-1779 dies. -
Nolan-Wild Horses
Philip Nolan a U.S. citizen receives permission to capture wild horses in Texas. -
Long Invades
U.S. citizen James Long and a small force invade Texas only to be defeated by Spanish forces. -
Mexican Independence
Mexico which includes Texas wins its independence from Spain. -
Moses Austin-Colony
The Spanish government grants Moses Austin permission to found a colony in Texas. -
Cotton Crop
Settler Jared Groce plants a cotton crop, possibly the first in Steven F. Austin's colony. -
3,000 Anglo Settlers
About 3,000 anglo settlers live in Texas without permission of the Mexican government -
Guadalupe River Settlers
Empresario Martin de Leon settles families on the lower Guadalupe River. -
Coahuila and Texas merge
Mexican officials adopt the constitution of 1824. Coahuila and Texas are merged to form one state. -
Indian Attack on Gonzales
An American indian attack on the Green Dewitt colony forces settlers to flee Gonzales. -
Fredonian Rebellion
The Fredonian rebellion begins when Haden Edwards declares independence from Mexico. -
Austin settles 100 Families
Steven F. Austin receives a contract to settle an additional 100 families in Texas. -
General Teran Tour
General Manual de Mier y Teran begins a tour of Texas for the Mexican Government. -
Texas Gazette
The Texas Gazette newspaper begins publication in Austin's colony. -
Thomas Pilgrim Schools
Thomas J. Pilgrim organizes a Sunday school and private boys school in San Felipe. -
Slavery Ends in Mexico
President Guerrero issues a decree ending slavery in Mexico but an exemption is made for Texas. -
April 6, 1830 Rule
On April 6, Mexico issues a law that changes rules on immigration and trade in Texas. -
Gonzales Cannon
The town of Gonzales receives a cannon from the Mexican government to defend citizens against American Indian attacks. -
Marry Holley publication.
Marry Austin Holley's settlers describing life in early Texas are published. -
Austin Arrested
Steve F Austin is arrested in Saltillo. -
Cotton Export to New Orleans
Texas farmers export some 7,000 bales of cotton worth about $315,000 to New Orleans. -
Texas settlers attack Mexican Soldiers-Gonzales
Texas settlers attack Mexican soldiers at Gonzales forces them to leave. -
3,500 land grants
Texas settlers hold about 3,500 land grants. -
Immigration
An estimated 1,000 U.S. immigrants enter Texas each month. -
1824 Constitution abolished
Texans become concerned when the Mexican government officially abolishes the constitution of 1824 -
Capture of San Antonio
Texas troops push Mexican troops out of San Antonio capturing the city. -
Alamo Siege Begins
The siege of the Alamo begins. -
Texas Declaration of Independence
The Texas Declaration of Independence is adopted. -
Texas Revolution Ends
Texans win the battle of San Jacinto ending the Texas Revolution. -
Sam Austin-Elected
Sam Austin becomes the first popularly elected President of the Republic of Texas. -
Texas Flag adopted
The first official Texas flag is adopted by the Texas Congress -
US Diplomat in Texas
The US Congress authorizes a diplomat to go to Texas -
Austin becomes Capital
The Texas government begins work in Austin, the new capital. -
Velasco Horse Race
1838 Velasco citizens hold a horse race on the coast near the town. -
Senator Warton
William H Warton is elected to the Texas Senate. -
Lamar President
Texans elect Mirabeau Lamar President. -
The Country of Texas
France becomes the first European nation to recognize Texas as an independent Country -
Fleeing Nacadoches
Repeated attacks and discrimination force more than 100 Tejano families to flee nacogdoches -
Homestead Law
Texas passes homestead law protecting settlers homes from being seized to pay debts. -
Galveston University
Galveston University opens it's doors to 5 students -
Rutersville College
The first college chartered by the republic. Rutersville College is founded -
Austin-850 residents
Austin, the new Capital has 850 residents. -
Texas is Published
William Kennedy publishes Texas: the Rise progress and prospects of the republic of Texas -
Texas Navy to the Yucatan Coast
President Mirabeau b. Lamar sends the Texas navy to the Yucatan Coast. -
Austin President-2nd time
Texans again elect Sam Austin President of the Republic -
French Settlers to Texas
Snider de Pellegrini, director of the French colonization company brings 14 settlers to Texas -
San Antonio Captured
General Adrian Woll and about 1400 Mexican soldiers capture San Antonio -
Tehuacana Creek Council
Tehuacana Creek Council lead to peace between Texan's and several Texas indian groups. -
Prince Carl comes to Texas
Prince Carl of Solmsbraunfels comes to Texas followed by a group of German immigrants. -
Regulator-Moderator War
President Sam Houston sends troops into East Texas to Regulator-Moderater war. -
President Jones
Texans elect Anson Jones president of the republic -
Slaves in Texas
At least 30,000 enslaved African-americans live in Texas -
US Annexes Texas
The US annexes Texas -
TX joins US Union
The US Congress admits TX into Union and Approves first State Constitution -
Comanche Peace Treaty
Texas signs a peace treaty with the Penateka Comanches -
US Vs. Mexico at Paolo Alto
Fighting breaks out between US forces and Mexican troops at Paolo Alto and Resaca de la Palma -
Senator Rusk and Houston
Thomas J Rusk and Sam Houston become the 1st Texans to serve in the US Senate -
State population census
A State Census reports the states population at more than 142,000 -
Samual H Walker Dies
Samuel H Walker dies in combat during a conflict in Mexico -
Governor Wood
George T Wood is elected Governor of Texas -
Texan's vote in US election for 1st time
Texas cast first vote as US citizens during Presidential Election -
Author Rankin Urges movement to Texas
In her book, Texas in 1850, Melinda Rankin describes the state and urges people to move to Texas -
Population increase
Texas population reaches 200,000 people -
Port Isabel Lighthouse
Work begins on the Port Isabel lighthouse. When completed, it's light could be seen from 16 miles away. -
Troops abandon Ft. Worth
US Army troops abandon Ft. Worth after settlers move farther west beyond the Fort. -
Track laid for Railways
After many false starts, track is finally laid for the Buffalo Bayou Brazos and Colorado Railway -
The Know Nothing party
The American or know nothing party becomes active in Texas -
Governor's mansion
The governor's mansion in built in Austin -
Failed Slave rebellion
Slaves in Colorado County acquire weapons and plan a rebellion but the plot is discovered before it can begin -
Butterfield Overland Mail
The Butterfiled Overland Mail begins taking passengers and mail by stagecoach from Missouri through Texas and on to California -
Rangers vs. Mexican Americans
A Series of clashes occurs between Texas Rangers and Mexican Americans near Brownsville -
Cotton Boom
Texas produces a record crop of more than 400,000 bales of cotton -
Houston defeats Runnels
Sam Houston easily defeats incumbent Runnels in the election for Texas Governor -
Texas vote secede
Texans vote, by more than 3 to1, to secede from the US. -
Texas Frontier regiment
The Texas frontier regiment is established -
The Plan to Capture the Southwest
Troops leave San Antonio for New Mexico, planning to capture the South West for the confederacy -
Galveston Captured
Union forces capture Galveston. -
Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation -
Cattle Boom
The Texas cattle population increases rapidly during the civil war -
Failed Texas invasion
Union attempt to invade Texas is turned back at Sabine Pass. -
Brownsville captured
Union Troops capture Brownsville -
Battle of Mansfield
In a battle near Mansfield LA, confederate forces stop a Union invasion of Northeast Texas -
Kit Carson attacks Plains indians
Colonel Christopher "Kit" Carson leads an attack against plains Indians in the panhandle -
Battle of Palmito Ranch
The last land battle of the war is fought at Palmito Ranch, Texas -
Freeing Texas Slaves
The Emancipation Proclamation goes into effect in Texas, freeing the state slaves -
Ft. Richardson established
Ft. Richardson is established near Jacksboro -
Delegate Ruby
African American George T Ruby is elected as a delegate to the Republican National convention -
15,000 cattle herd to Market
Texas Cowboys move a herd of 15,000 cattle to market. It is the larges single herd of the era. -
Governor Davis
Republican Edmond J Davis is elected Governor -
Edmund Davis elected Governor
Edmund J Davis is elected Governor, the last elected governor to hold office until Bill Clements is elected in 1978 -
Rail lines expand
Texas has 583 miles of rail lines -
Public School System begins
Public School system is created in Texas -
Wettest Place
In 1873 Clarksville received 109.4 inches of rain -
Battle of Adobe Walls
Plains Indians attack a group of buffalo hunters in the battle of adobe walls -
Democratic control of Texas
The democratic party regains full control of state government -
Red River war ends
Commanche leader Quanah Parker surrenders, ending the red river war -
New Constitution
Texas adopts a new constitution -
Animal massacre at Brazos River
About 2700 animals die during a cattle stampede near the brazos river -
Texas A&M Opens
Texas A&M University opens as an all male military institution. -
Railroad Land Grants
The Texas legislature passes a law that allows the state to fund railroads with land grants -
TX Constitution Established
Texans adopts constitution that governs state today. -
Apache raids on Texas
Apache leader Victorio launches raids along the Texas Mexico border -
Rail Lines meet
The Texas and Pacific railway meets the southern pacific line near El Paso forming the first trans continental route through texas. -
Barbed Wire purchase
A ranch In the panhandle purchases enough barbed wire to fence 250,000 acres. -
Univ of TX opens
University of Texas Formally opens -
Knights of Labor Strike
The Knights of Labor begin a major strike against J. Gould's railroad company -
Anti Trust act of 1889
Texas Legislature passes the anti-trust act of 1889. -
8,000 Railroad Track
There are more than 8,000 miles of railroad track in Texas. -
Univ of North Texas Opens.
Texas Normal College and Teachers Training Institute now called University of North Texas opens in Denton. -
First Native Texan Governor
James Steven Hogg is the first native born Texan to be Governor. -
Railroad Commission Established
The Texas Railroad Commission is established to regulate railroads in Texas. -
Farmers endorse Populist Party.
A leading association of Farmers endorses the Populist party. -
Oil in Corsicana
Drillers strike oil in Corsicana -
Football Game.. Univ Texas and Texas A&M
The first football game is played between the University of Texas and Texas A&M -
Rough Riders Trained.
Teddy Roosevelt organizes and trains the rough riders in San Antonio. -
350,000 Farms in Texas
Texas has more than 350,000 farms and almost half of all farmers are tenant farmers. -
Galveston Hurricane
A hurricane hits Galveston killing 6-8 thousand people. -
Spindle Top Well strikes oil
The spindle top well strikes oil producing 17 million barrels the next year. -
Spindle Top spurs oil growth
The Spindle Top Oil strike spurs growth in TX oil industry. -
Baseball Record
The Corsican Oilers set a baseball record by beating the Texarkana Team 51-3. -
Oil in Humble
A large oil strike is made in the Humble Oil field in Harris County. -
Neiman Marcus in Dallas
The first Neiman Marcus store opens in Dallas. -
Oil in Galvaston Bay
Oil is discovered at Goose Creek along Galvaston Bay. -
Jovita Idar-League of Mexican Women
Jovita Idar becomes first President of the league of Mexican women -
Houston Ship Channel
The Houston ship channel is completed leading to the growth of industry in the Houston area. -
Houston Oil Refining
Houston Ship Channel opens and Houston becomes an important oil refining center. -
Law requiring school
The Texas legislature passes state law requiring kids to attend school -
Texas Troops in WW1
Texas troops are sent to France to fight in WW 1 -
Alcohol Ban
Texas ratifies the 18th amendment to the US Constitution which bans the sale or manufacture of alcohol. -
Women allowed to vote in TX elections.
After decades of fighting for right to vote, women are able to vote in TX primary elections. -
Santa Rita Strikes Oil
An application is filed to drill for oil on State owned land in West Texas. Several years later the Santa Rita #1 strikes oil. -
Dockworkers Strike
Governor William Hobby breaks a dockworkers strike in Galveston. -
Ma Fergeson Governor
Texans elect Miriam A "Ma" Fergeson as the State's first female Governor. -
1 million auto's
Automobile registrations reach 1 million -
Republic President voted for
For first time in State's history the majority of Texan's vote for Republican Presidential candidate Herbert Hoover. -
High Unemployment
Some 300,000 Texans are unemployed -
Coldest spot
the lowest recorded temperature in Texas was a chilly-23F, occurring in 1899 at Tulia and in 1933 at Seminole. -
James Allred Governor
James B Allred is elected Governor of Texas -
Hottest Spot
The highest recorded temperature in Texas was a blistering 120 F, occurring in 1936 at Seymour in 1994 at Monahans. -
100th Anniversity of TX Revolution
Texas celebrates 100th anniversary of Tx revolution. -
Papi O'Daniel Governor
Texan's elect W. Lee "Papi" O'Daniel as Governor -
First Aircraft Manufacturer in TX
The Southern Aircraft Corp, the first airplane manufacturer in Texas is formed. -
WW2 Texan's Volunteer
Large numbers of Texan's volunteer for military service in WW2 -
TX White Primary Unconstitutional
The US Supreme Court declares the Texas White Primary as unconstitutional -
Smith VS Allright
A Texas law establishing white primaries is struck down by US supreme court in Smith VS Allwright -
Captain America
Texan Audie Murphy receives medal of honor for stopping German tank attack in France. -
3 million auto's in Texas
More than 3 million auto's in Texas. -
Allan Shivers 3rd Term Governor
Allan Shivers successfully runs as 3rd term Governor -
Women allowed on Jury's
Women are allowed to serve on TX juries for first time -
Driest Place
Wink received just 1,76 inches of rain in 1956 -
Woman Equil Rights Amendment
Texas Women call for Equal rights amendment to State Constitution -
Budy Holly Killed
Texas musician Buddy Holly killed in plane crash. -
Budy Holly Killed
Texas musician Buddy Holly killed in plane crash. -
Gulf Coast Tide Lands
US Supreme Court rules that TX owns Gulf Coastal tide lands up to a 10.35 mile limit. -
Gonzales and Tower elected
Henry B Gonzales is elected to House of Representatives and John Tower is Elected to US Senate. -
Johnson Space Center Built in Houston
The Manned Space Center, now Johnson Space Center, is built in Houston -
Lyndon Johnson become President
Lyndon B Johnson becomes President of US after John F Kennedy is assassinated. -
Janice Joplin
Texas singer Janice Joplin takes off after performance at Monterey pop festival. -
TX instruments first calculator
TX Instruments releases first hand held calculator -
Apollo 11 to the Moon
NASA sends Apollo 11 to the moon. -
La Raza Unida Party
Members of the Chacono movement and the Mexican American Youth Organization form La Raza Unida Party. -
Barbara Jordan Elected
Barbara Jordan elected to US House of Representatives. -
First Black Women in US Congress
Texan Barbara Jordan elected to House of Representatives. She is first black woman from south to serve in US Congress -
New Constitution Fails
A major attempt to adopt a new Texas Constitution fails. -
Austin City Limits Band
Austin City Limits Band goes on air as Willy Nelson as first guest. -
14 million people in TX
The Texas population reaches 14 million -
Larry McMurtry= Wins Pulitzer
Texas writer Larry McMurtry received Pulitzer Prize for novel Lonesome Dove. -
Mexican-American elected to office
Raul Gonzalas is elected to TX Supreme Court. First Mexican American elected to state-wide office. -
Stevey Ray Vaughn Killed in Crash
Texas musician Stevey Ray Vaughn is killed in helicopter crash. -
NAFTA Passes
NAFTA passed easing trade between US, Mexico and Canada -
George W Bush becomes Governor
George W Bush takes office as Governor -
Rick Perry becomes Governor
Rick Perry becomes 47th Governor of TX. -
230,000 people employed by government
Texas state government employs more than 230,000 people in more than 200 agencies with a 2 year budget of $98 billion. -
Republicans control House of Representatives
Republicans gain control of TX house of Representatives. -
Wind Power
TX becomes national leader in wind power generation -
Livestock Sales Boom
Sales of Texas livestock totaled more than 10.8 Billion Dollars. -
Timber Industry Boom
The Texas Timber industry earned more than 1.9 Billion Dollars -
Rick Perry longest Governor
Rick Perry becomes longest serving governor in TX history -
New Cowboys Stadium
Cowboys Stadium opens in Arlington -
Cotton Production Boom
The value of Texas cotton production reached over 1.5 Billion Dollars. -
Little Rain
TX received lowest ever rain fall. -
Crude oil production
Texas produced 730 million barrels of crude oil worth some 55 billion dollars -
Texas farming boom
There were more than 444,700 farms in Texas -
Texas Economy boom
Agriculture added some 36 billion dollars to the Texas economy -
Electronic Exports
Texas exports of computers and electronics were worth more than 45 Billion Dollars -
TX gets 4 new seats in congress.
Based on 2010 Census. TX gains 4 new seats in Congress. -
TX Exports $134 billion of goods
TX exports more than $134 billion of goods.