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Jan 1, 1528
Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca became the first European in Texas
Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca and his cohort became the first Europeans in Texas -
Jan 1, 1541
Francisco Vázquez de Coronado crosses the Texas Panhandle
Francisco Vázquez de Coronado crosses the Texas Panhandle in search of in search of the seven cities of Cibola. -
Thanksgiving is held near present-day El Paso by Juan de Oñate
Thanksgiving is held near present-day El Paso by Juan de Oñate, the members of his expedition and natives of the region. -
First Spanish mission is established
First Spanish mission, Corpus Christi de la Isleta, is established a few miles from present-day El Paso. -
French explorer Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, lands in Texas by mistake
French explorer Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, looking for the mouth of the Mississippi River, lands in Texas by mistake. -
La Salle is killed by several of his own men
La Salle is killed by several of his own men at an unknown East Texas location -
First East Texas mission under construction
First East Texas mission under construction, San Francisco de los Tejas, near present-day Weches, Houston Co. The mission is closed in 1693. -
established Catholic missions in Texas, and the towns of San Antonio, Goliad and Nacogdoches
the 18th Century, Spain established Catholic missions in Texas, and the towns of San Antonio, Goliad and Nacogdoches. -
Texas' first recorded hurricane
Texas' first recorded hurricane strikes near Galveston -
Group of settlers establish a civilian community
Group of settlers led by Antonio Gil Ybarbo (sometimes spelled Ibarvo or Y'barvo) establishes a civilian community near an abandoned mission site; the new town is called Nacogdoches -
Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costillo seize the prison at Dolores, Mexico, beginning Mexico's struggle for independence from Spain.
Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costillo and several hundred of his parishioners seize the prison at Dolores, Mexico, beginning Mexico's struggle for independence from Spain. -
Spanish government grants Moses Austin permission to establish a colony of Anglo-Americans
Spanish government grants Moses Austin permission to establish a colony of Anglo-Americans in the Texas area. When he dies the following June, his son, Stephen F. Austin, receives authority to continue the colonizing effort. -
A hurricane wrecks the fleet of Jean Lafitte
A hurricane wrecks the fleet of pirate Jean Lafitte in Galveston. -
Stephen F. Austin received a grant from the Mexican government and began colonization in the region of the Brazos River
Stephen F. Austin received a grant from the Mexican government and began colonization in the region of the Brazos River. Mexican officials approve Austin's plan to bring three hundred families into his colony. This group becomes known as the "Old Three Hundred." -
First bloodshed of the Texas Revolution takes place at Velasco when Texans
First bloodshed of the Texas Revolution takes place at Velasco when Texans, transporting a cannon from Brazoria to Anahuac, are challenged by Mexican forces at Velasco. The Mexicans surrender on June 29. -
Texas Declaration of Independence is adopted
Texas Declaration of Independence is adopted at Washington-on-the-Brazos -
350 Texan prisoners are executed at Goliad
About 350 Texan prisoners, including their commander James Fannin, are executed at Goliad by order of Santa Anna. An estimated 30 Texans escape. -
Texan troops led by Sam Houston defeat the Mexican army commanded by Santa Anna
In a battle lasting 18 minutes, Texan troops led by Sam Houston defeat the Mexican army commanded by Santa Anna at San Jacinto near present-day Houston. Houston reports that 630 Mexican troops were killed and 730 were taken prisoner. Of the Texas troops, nine of a force of 910 were killed or mortally wounded, and 30 were less seriously wounded -
Republic of Texas is officially recognized by the United States
Republic of Texas is officially recognized by the United States, and later by France, England, the Netherlands and Belgium -
Comanches meet with officials of Texas government to negotiate a peace treaty
Comanches, led by a dozen chiefs, meet with officials of Texas government to negotiate a peace treaty. Believing the Comanches to have reneged on a promise to release all white prisoners, the Texans take the chiefs prisoner. During the Council House fight that follows, 35 Comanches are killed, as are seven Texans. -
Baylor University is founded
Baylor University is a private, Christian-affiliated research university located in Waco, Texas, United States. Baylor is known for its programs in business, law, music, philosophy, theology, and science,. -
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed, ending the War with Mexico and specifying the location of the international boundary -
The first railroad to actually begin operation in Texas is chartered by the state government
The first railroad to actually begin operation in Texas is chartered by the state government. The Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado begins operation in 1853. -
Two reservations are established for Indians in West-Central Texas
Two reservations are established for Indians in West-Central Texas: one for Comanches on the Clear Fork of the Brazos in Throckmorton County, the other for more sedentary Indian groups, such as Tawakonis, Wacos and Tonkawas, near Fort Belknap in Young County -
Gen. Gordon Granger arrives at Galveston to announce that slavery has been abolished.
Gen. Gordon Granger arrives at Galveston to announce that slavery has been abolished, an event commemorated today by the festival known as Juneteenth -
George W. Bush elected President of the United States
Former Texas Gov. George W. Bush elected President of the United States.
