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In search of the fabled Seven Cities of Cibola, Francisco Vasquez de Coronado lead an expedition into the present southwestern United States and across northern Texas.
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Robert Cavelier, Sieur de LaSalle established Fort St. Louis at Matagorda Bay, and thus formed the basis for France's claim to Texas. Two years later, LaSalle was murdered by his own men.
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The Mission San Antonio de Valero (the Alamo) is founded
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Santa Cruz de San Saba mission near present day menard destroyed and eight residents killed by Comanches and their allies.
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About 130 men strong, Teh gutierrez Mahel Expediton crossed the Sabine from Lousiana in a rebel movement against Spanish rule in Texas
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Jean Laffite occupied Galveston Island and used it as a base for his smuggling and privateering operation.
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The Battle of Velasco resulted in the first casualties in Texas' relations with Mexico. After several days of fighting, the Mexicans under Domingo de Ugartechea were forced to surrender for lack of ammunition.
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Texans repulsed a detachment of Mexican cavalry at the Battle of Gonzales. The revolution began.
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Jim Bowie, James Fannin and 90 Texans defeated 450 Mexicans at the Battle of Concepcion, near San Antonio.
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Mexicans under Gen. Cos surrendered San Antonio to the Texans following the Siege of Bexar.
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The Texas Declaration of Independence was signed by members of the Convention of 1836. An ad interim government was formed for the newly created Republic of Texas.
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Texans under Col. William B. Travis were overwhelmed by the Mexican army after a two-week siege at the Battle of the Alamo in San Antonio. The Runaway Scrape began.
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Battle of San Jacinto - Gen. Sam Houston defeats Mexicans & captures Mexican Gen. Santa Anna.
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Mexican Minister to the U.S., Juan Almonte, requests his passport and issues a proclamation that defames the U.S.A. and indicates a state of war exists.
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Texas votes in favor of annexation. (Mexico does not recognize Texas independence or the annexation)
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The Mexican-American War ignited as a result of disputes over claims to Texas boundaries. The outcome of the war fixed Texas' southern boundary at the Rio Grande River.
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After Polk took office, he sent a personal emissary, John Slidell, to Mexico to try to buy New Mexico and California. When the Mexican government refused to receive Slidell, Polk sent troops under Gen. Zachary Taylor (old "Rough & Ready") to the disputed Rio Grande boundary. Mexican troops attacked the U.S. soldiers and Polk claimed war had begun "by act of Mexico."