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The Declaration of Independence
The Texas Declaration of Independence literally developed overnight because the Alamo in San Antonio was under siege by Santa Anna’s army of Mexico. It contained statements on the function and responsibility of government, a list of grievances, and concluded by declaring Texas a free and independent republic (Cassidy, 2021). https://texasproud.com/the-texas-declaration-of-independence/
image: https://www.tsl.texas.gov/treasures/republic/declaration.html -
Siege of the Alamo
A 13-day siege of the Battle of the Alamo comes to an end, capping off a pivotal moment in the Texas Revolution. Mexican forces recaptured the fort, and nearly all of the Texan defenders—including legendary frontiersman Davy Crockett—died (History.com, 2019). https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/alamo-texas-battle-ends
image: http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/on-this-day/Feb/On-this-Day--The-Alamo-Came-Under-Attack.html -
Runaway Scrape
Sam Houston was informed of the fall of the Alamo, so he decided to retreat to the Colorado River to avoid the Mexican army and ordered all inhabitants to accompany him (Covington, n.d.). https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/runaway-scrape
image: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/runaway-scrape -
Goliad Massacre
Over three hundred Texan prisoners, including their commander James Fannin, were executed by Mexican forces. The massacre became a rallying cry for other Texans, who shouted "Remember the Alamo!" and "Remember Goliad!" at the decisive Battle of San Jacinto (Minister, 2017). https://www.thoughtco.com/the-goliad-massacre-2136250
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The Battle of San Jacinto
Sam Houston led Texan troops to defeat the Mexican army, which was commanded by Santa Anna at San Jacinto. Houston reported 9 of 910 Texas troops killed or mortally wounded and 30 had less severe wounds. Mexican troops suffered 630 killed and 730 taken prisoner. The battle ensured the success of American settlers in the Texas Revolution (Bluhm, n.d.). https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-San-Jacinto-1836
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The Treaties of Velasco
David Burnet, Santa Anna, and Texas' provisional president sign two treaties, one secret treaty and one public, ending the Texas Revolution. Both treaties were violated by both sides and never took effect. Mexico was not to recognize Texas independence until the U.S.-Mexican War was settled by the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 (Texas State Library, 2017). https://www.tsl.texas.gov/treasures/republic/velasco-01.html
image: https://www.tsl.texas.gov/treasures/republic/velasco-01.html -
First President of Texas Elected
Sam Houston becomes the first president of Texas. Although he entered late, his record in the Texas Revolution won him almost all the votes (American History USA, n.d). Voters approved a referendum requesting annexation by the United States but U.S. President Buren refused, citing fear of war with Mexico and constitutional scruples. https://www.americanhistoryusa.com/sam-houston-first-elected-president-texas/
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The First Congress of the Republic of Texas
The first Congress was made up of thirty representatives and fourteen senators. Lorenzo de Zavala, U.S. vice president, was president of the Senate until Mirabeau B. Lamar was inaugurated on October 22. Ira Ingram was the speaker of the House, and Richard Ellis president pro tem of the Senate (Steen, n.d.). https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/congress-of-the-republic-of-texas
image: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/republic-of-texas -
Stephen F. Austin Dies
Austin died of pneumonia at age 43. In 1813, he was elected to the Legislature of Missouri. He took long trips to Mexico on behalf of Texas to maintain peace with the Mexican government (Dunham, 2009). He always spoke words of encouragement and traveled the US to obtain aid for his struggling countrymen. https://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2009/12/today-in-texas-history-stephen-f-austin-dies-at-43/
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U.S. Recognition of Texan Independence
The independence of "The Republic of Texas" is officially recognized by the United States after Alcée La Branche was nominated as Minister to Texas by U.S. President Andrew Jackson. The Republic of Texas was later recognized by France, England, the Netherlands, and Belgium. https://texasalmanac.com/topics/history/revolution-and-republic-texas
image: https://dlc.dcccd.edu/txgov1-1/shaping-culture-history -
The first Lots for Sale
The first sale of lots in the new capital city of Austin was under an oak tree in what is known as Republic Square. 291 lots were auctioned for a total of $182,585 for the Republic of Texas. The highest price was $2,800 for the lot at the northeast corner of Congress and Cedar. The lowest was $120 for a lot in the 700 blocks of West Walnut. from http://library.austintexas.gov/ahc/first-year-firsts-1839-354067
image: https://www.mapsofthepast.com/austin-tx-city-plan-pilie-schoolfield-1839.html -
The Council House Fight
33 Penateka Comanche leaders and 32 Comanche men, women, and children, met with officials of the Texas government to negotiate a peace treaty (Weiser-Alexander, 2020). Believing the Comanches had reneged on a promise to release all white prisoners, the Texans took the chiefs prisoner. During the Council House fight that followed, 30 Comanches and 6 Texans were killed. https://www.legendsofamerica.com/council-house-fight-texas/
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The Great Raid
In retaliation for the Council House Fight, the Comanches raided the cities of Victoria and Linnville on the Texas coast. They burned the towns and took whatever they wanted(Bgill, 2007). The Comanches were attacked by Texas Rangers at the battle of Plum Creek near Lockhart. The Indians got away with a lot of the stolen horses and loot. https://www.fold3.com/page/1172/linnville-raid-of-1840/stories
image: https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/american-indian-wars -
The Santa Fé Expedition
Launched without the approval of the Congress of the Republic, Pres. Mirabeau B. Lamar proposed an expedition to Santa Fe. Volunteers were solicited and prospective merchants were promised transportation and protection for their goods (Cassidy, 2021). However, members of the group were taken prisoner by Mexican troops, marched to Mexico City, and imprisoned. They are released in 1842. https://texasproud.com/texas-santa-fe-expedition/
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Germans Come to Texas
The first German immigration society lead by Count Joseph of Boos-Waldeck and Count Victor August of Leiningen-Westerburg-Alt-Leiningen purchased 4,428 acres of settlement in Fayette County of Central Texas for 75 cents an acre (Er, 2017). They named it Nassau Farm and the property later became a slave plantation and a resort for the nobles in the Society. http://www.historynaked.com/german-texas-mainzer-adelsverein/
image: https://germans-in-texas.weebly.com/the-mainzer-adelsverein.html -
The Joint Resolution Annexing Texas
Britain opposed annexation to maintain trade with Texas and to thwart westward expansion by the United States—initially compelled President John Tyler to reconsider having the republic join the Union (History, Arts, & Archives, n.d.). The Senate rejected his first attempt but annexation was ultimately realized by this joint resolution, signed by President Tyler in 1845. https://history.house.gov/HouseRecord/Detail/15032436204
image: https://history.house.gov/HouseRecord/Detail/15032436204 -
The Convention of 1845
The Convention was called by Anson Jones to meet in Austin to consider the joint resolution of the United States Congress proposing the annexation of the Republic of Texas to the United States (Ralph, n.d.). https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/convention-of-1845.
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Texans New Constitution
The majority of Texas voters approved a new constitution that integrated Texas into the United States (Glass, 2018). The document was signed by President James K. Polk. https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/13/this-day-in-politics-oct-13-1845-888902
image: https://www.tsl.texas.gov/ref/abouttx/annexation/voters.html -
The Joint Resolution
Congress approves Texas to officially become the 28th state in the Union although the formal transfer of government did not take place until February 19, 1846 (Fosse, n.d.). The agreement permitted Texas to retain title to its public lands and was annexed as a slave state. The agreement was signed by President James K. Polk. https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/june-23/
image: https://thetexan.news/today-in-texas-history-175-years-ago-the-united-states-annexed-the-lone-star-republic/
