Timeline of the Republic of Texas facts for kids

The Republic of Texas was an independent country that existed from 1836 to 1846. This timeline shares the important events that happened during this time. It starts when Texas declared its freedom from Mexico and ends when Texas joined the United States.

1836: Texas Becomes a Republic

A map of Texas in 1836 by Austin and Tanner.

A close-up of the Republic of Texas from a map made around 1836.

• March 2 – Texas declares its independence from Mexico. Fifty-eight leaders sign the Texas Declaration of Independence at Washington-on-the-Brazos. The Republic of Texas is officially formed. David G. Burnet is chosen as the temporary president.
• March 6 – The Battle of the Alamo takes place. After a 13-day fight, the Alamo falls. All of its defenders, including William B. Travis, Davy Crockett, and Jim Bowie, lose their lives.
• March 11 – General Sam Houston begins to move his army away from Gonzales. This event is known as the Runaway Scrape, as many Texans also fled.
• March 19 – At the Battle of Coleto, Mexican General Urrea surrounds Colonel James Fannin near Goliad.
• March 20 – Colonel Fannin and his troops surrender to the Mexican army.
• March 27 – The Goliad massacre happens. General Santa Anna orders the execution of James Fannin and almost 400 Texan soldiers.
• April 21 – The Battle of San Jacinto is fought. General Sam Houston's Texan army wins a huge victory over the Mexican forces led by Santa Anna. This battle secures Texas's independence. Santa Anna is captured.
• May 14 – The Treaties of Velasco are signed by Texas officials and General Santa Anna. These treaties officially end the Texas Revolution.
• October 22 – Sam Houston becomes the first elected president of the Republic of Texas.

1837: New Beginnings

• March 1 – The United States officially recognizes Texas as an independent country.
• April – The city of Houston becomes the temporary capital of the Republic of Texas.

1838: New President

Thomas Bradford's 1838 map of Texas, showing the Nueces River as the southern border.

Another 1838 map by Bradford, showing the Rio Grande as Texas's southern border.

• December 10 – Mirabeau B. Lamar becomes the second president of the Republic of Texas.

1839: Conflicts and Changes

• March – The Córdova Rebellion takes place. This was an uprising by some Tejanos (Texans of Mexican heritage) who did not support Texas's independence. They were defeated in Guadalupe County.
• July 15-16 – The Battle of the Neches occurs. Texan forces fight against the Cherokee people. The Cherokee are defeated and forced to leave their settlements. Both Cherokee chiefs, The Bowl and Big Mush, are killed.
• September 25 – France officially recognizes Texas's independence.
• October – The capital of Texas moves to Austin.

1840: Raids and Battles

• March 19 – The Council House Fight happens in San Antonio. This was a meeting between Texas officials and Comanche leaders that turned into a violent conflict.
• August 6–8 – Comanche warriors carry out the Great Raid of 1840, attacking the towns of Victoria and Linnville.
• August 12 – The Battle of Plum Creek takes place, where Texan forces fight against the Comanche after their raids.

1841: An Expedition and a Return

John Arrowsmith's map of Texas from 1841.

• June – The Texan Santa Fe Expedition begins. About 321 men, sent by President Lamar, try to invade Santa Fe (which was part of Mexico). They are captured without a fight and taken to prison in Mexico. This event leads to Sam Houston becoming president again.
• December 13 – Sam Houston begins his second term as president of the Republic of Texas.

1842: Mexican Invasions and Texan Conflicts

• March – A Mexican army led by General Ráfael Vásquez invades Texas. They capture San Antonio and Goliad but leave a few days later.
• September 11 – Another Mexican army, led by General Adrián Woll, invades Texas and captures San Antonio.
• September 18 – Texan companies attack General Woll's army at the Battle of Salado Creek.
• September 18 – The Dawson massacre occurs. Thirty-six Texans are surrounded and killed by the Mexican Army.
• December 26 – The Mier expedition leads to 261 Texans being captured. They had fought a much larger Mexican force at the Battle of Mier.
• December 29 – The Texas Archive War takes place in Austin. People in Austin fire on Texas officials who try to move government records to Houston, as President Houston had requested.

1843: More Conflicts

• April 24 – August 6 – The Snively Expedition happens. This was an attempt by Texans to capture goods from Mexican traders on the Santa Fe Trail. They caused a border issue with the United States and were disarmed.
• May 16 – Two ships of the Texas Navy fight Mexican naval vessels in the Naval Battle of Campeche.

1844: Prisoners Released

• September 16 – All Texan prisoners held by Mexico are released by order of Santa Anna.
• December 9 – Anson Jones becomes the last president of the Republic of Texas.

1845: Texas Joins the U.S.

• February 28 – The United States Congress passes a bill to allow Texas to join the United States.
• March 1 – U.S. President John Tyler signs the bill, making it official.
• October 13 – Most voters in Texas approve a new state constitution.
• December 29 – The Republic of Texas officially becomes a part of the United States of America.

1846: A New State

• February 19 – Power is officially transferred from the Republic of Texas to the new State of Texas.