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Period: Jan 1, 1500 to
1500-1600
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Nov 5, 1528
Cabeza de Vaca
Galveston Island is what is believed today where Cabeza de Baca shipwrecked. He traded for six years, but then later explore the interior of Texas on his way to Mexico. -
Apr 20, 1540
Coronado
Coronado journeyed into the present southwestern United States and across Northern Texas because he wanted to find the Seven Cites of Cobola. -
Period: to
1600-1700
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La Salle
Fort St. Louis was established at Matagorda Bay by La Salle thus forming the basis for France's claim to Texas but was assissinated by his own men two years later. -
Period: to
1700-1800
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Period: to
1800-1900
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Austin Grant
The Mexican Government gave Moses Austin grant and he immediately began colonizing in the region of the Brazos River. -
Mexican Independence
Mexico was given a republican form of governmet by the Constitiution of 1824. But it failed to define the states of the republic, including Texas. -
Austin Imprisoned
Stephen F. Austin went to Mexico CIty with a list of demands to present to the government that ensured their rights for the Anglo-Americans, but President Santa Ana refused and threw Austin in prison on suspicion of inciting insurrection. -
Battle at Gonzales
The revolution began after Texas repulsed a detachment of Mexican cavalry at Gonzales. -
Battle of Alamo
Because Mexican General Santa Anna lost San Antonio to Texas in the Seige of Bexar, he was determined to retake this key location and at the same time impress upon the Texans the futility of further resistance to Mexican rule. -
Runaway Scrape begins
The Runaway Scrape was a period of terror and panic among the settlements of Texas, as Santa Anna and the Mexican armies swept eastward from San Antonio. -
Massacre at Goliad
The Mexicans took the Texians back to Goliad, where they were held as prisoners at Fort Defiance (Presidio La Bahia). The Texians thought they would likely be set free in a few weeks. General Urrea departed Goliad, leaving command to Colonel José Nicolás de la Portilla. Urrea wrote to Santa Anna to ask for clemency for the Texians. -
Battle of San Jacinto
At 4:30 p.m. on April 21, scout Deaf Smith announced the burning of Vince's Bridge, which cut off the only avenue of reinforcement and retreat for both armies without having to cross water more than 10 feet (3.0 m) deep. The main Texan battle line moved forward with their approach screened by the trees and rising ground. The Texans achieved complete surprise. -
Texas joins the United States
Texas was named the 28th state of the United States after President James K. Polk followed through on a campaign platform promising to annex Texas and signed legislation. -
Texas secedes from Union
There was a 171 to 6 vote by the Secession Convention on Texas seceding from the Federal Union. Sam Houston was one of a small minority opposed to secession. -
Battle of Galveston-the Bayou City
The CS Bayou City and the CS Neptune, sailed from Houston to Galveston in an effort to engage the Union Fleet in Galveston Harbor. Outnumbered six to two by the Northern ships, the Neptune was severely damaged by the Union Fleet and eventually sank. While the Neptune was quickly disabled, the Bayou City succeeded in capturing the USS Harriet Lane.
