Timeline of the Republic of Texas


This is a timeline of the Republic of Texas, spanning the time from the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836, up to the transfer of power to the State of Texas on February 19, 1846.

1836

Texas Declares Independence

1837

  • March 1 - The United States recognizes Texas's independence.
  • April - Houston becomes the sixth temporary capital of the republic March 1,1837

1838

  • October 5 - Disaffected band of Cherokee kills or abducts 18 extended-family members in the Killough massacre, the largest Native American attack on white settlers in Texas.
  • December 10 - Mirabeau B. Lamar becomes president of the republic.

1839

1840

1841

1842

1843

  • April 24 - August 6, Snively Expedition; an operation led by Jacob Snively to intercept a train of Mexican traders who would be returning from Missouri on the Santa Fe Trail by way of Texas territory and to seize their goods. This was to be in retaliation for the Mexican raids on San Antonio in 1842 and for the mistreatment of Texas prisoners captured in the Mier Expedition and on the Texian Santa Fe Expedition. Despite defeating a detachment of Mexican soldiers on the Arkansas River, they caused a border incident with the United States, and were disarmed by U. S. Dragoons. Those who remained were not strong enough to defeat the guard on the train and returned to Texas.
  • May 16 - Two sloops-of-war of the Texas Navy of the Republic engage Mexican naval vessels in the Naval Battle of Campeche.

1844

  • September 16 - All Texas prisoners are released by Mexico on order from Santa Anna.
  • December 9 - Anson Jones becomes president of the republic.

1845

1846

  • February 19 - Power is transferred from the Republic of Texas to the State of Texas.