Historical Events tagged with "texas"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Social Movements & Civil Rights

Slaves in Galveston Learn of Their Freedom

June 19th, 1865 159 years ago

Two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the end of slavery. This marked a pivotal moment in American history, as the remaining enslaved individuals in this region were finally informed of their freedom. The news was shared through General Granger's General Order No. 3, which emphasized the equality and rights of all individuals. Juneteenth became a celebratory day observed in Texas and later across the nation.

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Military & Warfare

Edmund Kirby Smith Surrenders in Texas

May 26th, 1865 159 years ago

Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith surrendered in Galveston, marking the final capitulation of the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. This surrender came after a series of defeats for the Confederate forces, which ultimately led to the disbandment of their army and the end of the war. The surrender signified the last significant offer of resistance in the Trans-Mississippi region, solidifying the Union's victory. Smith's decision to surrender was influenced by the deteriorating situation for the Confederacy.

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Military & Warfare

Final Land Battle in the American Civil War

May 12th, 1865 159 years ago

The Battle of Palmito Ranch marked the last major land action of the American Civil War, taking place near Brownsville, Texas. Confederate forces, under the command of General John S. Griffith, achieved a tactical victory against Union troops commanded by Major General Daniel Sickles. This battle occurred after the official surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House, highlighting the lingering conflicts in the farthest reaches of the Confederacy. The Union forces were ultimately forced to retreat, consolidating the Confederate success in the confrontation.

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Military & Warfare

Confederate Victory at Sabine Pass

September 8th, 1863 161 years ago

A small Confederate force successfully defended Sabine Pass against a Union invasion, demonstrating strategic defense. Led by Colonel Ethan Allen Hitchcock, Confederate troops inflicted significant casualties on the invading forces. The event occurred on September 8, 1863, in Texas, as the Union sought to gain control of the port and establish a foothold in the region, but the well-prepared Confederates thwarted these efforts.

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Military & Warfare

CSS Alabama Sinks USS Hatteras at Galveston

January 11th, 1863 162 years ago

The CSS Alabama, a Confederate raider, engaged and sank the USS Hatteras near the Galveston Lighthouse. Commanded by Captain Raphael Semmes, the Alabama captured the Union warship Hatteras on January 11, 1863, showcasing its destructive prowess. This battle emphasized the challenges faced by the Union Navy in maintaining control over coastal waters and protecting shipping routes.

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Politics & Government

Texas Secedes and Joins Confederacy

February 1st, 1861 164 years ago

Texas officially seceded from the United States after a convention held in Austin. This convention led to a decision where delegates voted overwhelmingly to leave the Union, primarily driven by tensions surrounding states' rights and slavery issues. Shortly thereafter, Texas joined the Confederate States of America, resulting in the formation of a new government aligned with pro-slavery interests.

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Transportation & Infrastructure

Texas Telegraphed to United States via New Orleans

February 14th, 1855 170 years ago

Texas was officially linked by telegraph to the rest of the United States with the completion of a critical connection between New Orleans and Marshall, Texas. This groundbreaking achievement in telecommunications allowed for instantaneous communication across vast distances, enabling businesses and individuals to exchange information rapidly. The project spurred economic growth and improved governance in the region, paving the way for Texas's further development. This connection marked a significant technological milestone in the mid-19th century, fostering closer ties between Texas and other states.

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Politics & Government

Texas Territory Transfer and Debt Assumption

September 9th, 1850 174 years ago

The Compromise of 1850, a crucial legislative package, included a provision that transferred a significant portion of Texas's claimed territory to federal control. In exchange, the U.S. federal government agreed to assume $10 million of Texas's pre-annexation debt, addressing both state and federal interests while aiming to maintain the balance of power between slave and free states. This agreement aimed to quell tensions arising from rapidly changing territorial claims in the newly acquired lands. This transaction underscored the political maneuvering that characterized the era leading up to the Civil War.

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Politics & Government

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Signed

February 2nd, 1848 177 years ago

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was concluded between the United States and Mexico, marking the end of the Mexican-American War. Negotiated in the city of Guadalupe Hidalgo, the treaty established the Rio Grande as the boundary between Texas and Mexico. It resulted in significant territorial gains for the U.S., including present-day California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming. The treaty was signed in the context of a conflict rooted in the U.S. annexation of Texas and the desire for further expansion.

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