Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.
Feb
24
On February 24, 1836, in San Antonio, Texas, Colonel William Travis issues a call for help on behalf of the Texan troops defending the Alamo, an old Spanish mission and fortress under siege by the Mexican army.
In December 1845, during the presidency of James Knox Polk, Texas became a state of the Union. The annexation meant the Mexican-American war of 1846-1848. Texas State Flag waving over The Alamo, San Antonio, after being admitted to the Union a month before the start of the Civil War, 1845.
Getty Images / PHAS / Contributor
Mar
02
During the Texas Revolution, a convention of American Texans meets at Washington-on-the-Brazos and declares the independence of Texas from Mexico. The delegates chose David Burnet as provisional president and confirmed Sam Houston as the commander in chief of all Texan forces. The Texans also adopted a constitution that protected the free practice of slavery, which had been prohibited by Mexican law. Meanwhile, in San Antonio, Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna’s siege of the Alamo continued, and the fort’s 185 or so American defenders waited for the final Mexican assault.
Mar
06
On March 6, 1836, after 13 days of intermittent fighting, the Battle of the Alamo comes to a gruesome end, capping off a pivotal moment in the Texas Revolution. Mexican forces were victorious in recapturing the fort, and nearly all of the roughly 200 Texan defenders—including frontiersman Davy Crockett—died.
Mar
13
Mar
27
Apr
21
During the Texan War for Independence, the Texas militia under Sam Houston launches a surprise attack against the forces of Mexican General Santa Anna along the San Jacinto River. The Mexicans were thoroughly defeated, and hundreds were taken prisoner, including General Santa Anna himself.
May
19
During a raid, Comanche, Kiowa and Caddo Native Americans in Texas kidnap Cynthia Ann Parker (who was around 9 or 10 years old) and kill her family. Adopted into the Comanche tribe, she eventually married a respected Comanche chief and had three children, including Quanah, who grew up to become the last Comanche leader. Parker lived with the Comanche until Texas Rangers recaptured her and forced her to return to live again among Anglo-Americans.
Jun
28
Sep
05
On September 5, 1836, Sam Houston is elected as president of the Republic of Texas, which earned its independence from Mexico in a successful military rebellion.
Sam Houston (1793-1863) was born in Virginia but lived in and for Texas for much of his life. He served as commander in chief of forces against Mexico in the war over Texas, and when Texas became independent he was elected its president. He represented the state as a senator when Texas joined the United States in 1845, became governor in 1859, and was deposed for opposing Texas' secession to the Confederacy. The city of Houston is named for him. Ca. 1850s. (Photo by © CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
Corbis via Getty Images
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