Timeline: Texas History 1900-2000

Sep 8, 1900

The Great Storm

Deadliest natural disaster in US History. Killed 6000 people on Galveston Island in Galveston, Texas. Destroyed most of Galveston. Residents had no warning, and most were unaware of the impending catastrophe. Led to the building of the Galveston Seawall which lowered loss of life in future hurricanes

Mar 2, 1910

First Military Air Flight-Wright Brothers Plane

San Antonio, Texas. Lt. Benjamin D Foulois Piloted Army's first aircraft. JBSA Fort Sam Houston. 7.5 minute flight was a huge day in aviation history.

1911

Mexican Civil War

War affected Texans. Refugees seeking help in Texas, settlements were raided for supplies. Spanish population in Texas increased.

Jun 28, 1919

Ratification of 19th Amendment

19th Amendment ratification gave women the right to vote. Texas was the 9th state in US, first in the South to do so. Fun fact: Texas Woman's University proudly celebrates this! Following this ratification a victory convention was held in October of 1919.

1936

Texas Celebrates Centennial

100th Anniversary of Texas Independence. Statewide festivities. Centennial Exposition held in Dallas on state fairgrounds from June-November.

May 17, 1954

Brown V. Board of Education

End of segregation in public schools. All schools in the US. San Antonio, Texas one of the first cities to comply with the order.

1962

NASA spacecraft center opens in Houston

Manned spacecraft center built in 1962 outside of Houston. Creation of this center was after the huge American response to Sputnik satellites sent to orbit from Earth.

Nov 22, 1963

President John F. Kennedy Assassinated

President Kennedy rode through downtown Dallas in an open car in a motorcade. On Elm Street, shots were fired. Kennedy rushed to Parkland hospital, and pronounced dead. Kennedy's body transported to WAshington D.C. Lyndon B. Johnson sworn into presidency by Texas Judge Sarah Hughes.

May 11, 1970

Lubbock, Texas Tornado

Devastating tornado, caused intense damage to the panhandle. Severely affected Lubbock, Texas.

1988

President George H.W. Bush elected as President

George H.W. Bush moved to Texas in 1940's after being a pilot in WW2, and attending Yale University. Successful oilman. Elected to congress in 1966 from Texas's 7t district. Elected as president of the U.S November 1988.

Feb 28, 1993

Waco, Texas Siege of 1993

Religious Cult leader David Koresh had a compound, Mount Carmel in Waco, Texas. Koresh and his followers had been storing weapons, 51 day standoff with FBI that ended with many deaths, and a fire of the compound. He was building an army of God.