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Before European contact, Texas was home to numerous Native American tribes including the Caddo, Apache, and Comanche peoples. These groups developed rich cultures and traditions, living off the diverse Texas landscape through hunting, gathering, and early forms of agriculture.

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Spanish explorer Alonso Álvarez de Pineda became the first European to map the Texas coast. This marked the beginning of European interest in the region and led to subsequent Spanish explorations.

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René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, established a French colony called Fort Saint Louis near Matagorda Bay. Though the colony failed, it prompted Spain to intensify its efforts to colonize Texas.

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Spanish missionaries and soldiers established San Antonio as a mission and presidio. The Mission San Antonio de Valero (later known as the Alamo) was founded, becoming one of the most important Spanish settlements in Texas.

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Mexico gained independence from Spain, and Texas became a part of the new nation. This led to increased settlement opportunities as Mexico began allowing American colonists, known as empresarios, to establish colonies in Texas.

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Stephen F. Austin, known as the 'Father of Texas,' successfully established the first legal settlement of American colonists. He brought 300 families to Texas under a grant from the Mexican government.

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The Texas Declaration of Independence was signed at Washington-on-the-Brazos, creating the Republic of Texas. This came during the Texas Revolution, just days before the fall of the Alamo.

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The 13-day siege of the Alamo ended with Mexican forces overwhelming the Texian defenders. The battle became a symbol of heroic resistance against overwhelming odds and a rallying cry for Texian forces.

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Sam Houston led the Texian Army to a decisive victory over Mexican General Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto. The 18-minute battle resulted in Texas gaining its independence from Mexico.

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Texas was officially admitted as the 28th state of the United States. This came after nine years as an independent republic and marked the beginning of Texas as part of the American Union.