This Day in Texas History: Mexico Frees Slaves September 15, 1829 On this day in 1829, the Guerrero Decree, which abolished slavery throughout the Republic of Mexico except in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, was issued by President Vicente R. Guerrero. The decree reached Texas on October 16, but Ramón Músquiz, the political chief of the…
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This day in Texas History: Richard Henry Boyd Born into Slavery March 05, 1843 On this day in 1843, Richard Henry Boyd began his remarkable life. He was born in Mississippi and named Dick Gray, a slave of B. A. Gray, and was later taken to his owner’s new plantation near Brenham, Texas. Boyd accompanied…
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This Day in Texas History: Texas Germans Declare Slavery to be Evil May 14, 1854 On this day in 1854, Texas Germans gathered to discuss the national crisis over slavery. At the the annual Staats-Saengerfest (State Singers’ Festival), held on May 14 and 15, delegates from various local political clubs of German citizens in western…
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This Day in Texas History: (from the Texas State Historical Association archives) Texas Congress is History; Texas Legislature In Place February 19, 1846 On this day in 1846, the First Legislature of the state of Texas convened in Austin. The flag of the Republic of Texas was lowered, and the flag of the United States was raised.…
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This Day in Texas History: (from the Texas State Historical Association archives) Secessionist Fire-Eater Dies February18,1874 On this day in 1874, secessionist leader Louis T. Wigfall died in Galveston. The South Carolina native arrived in Texas in 1846 and settled in Nacogdoches, where he was a law partner of Thomas J. Jennings and William B. Ochiltree. Soon…
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This Day in Texas History: (from the Texas State Historical Association archives) Republic of Texas Passes Legislation Regarding Free Blacks February 05, 1840 On this day in 1840, the Congress of the Republic of Texas passed the Law of February 5. Though there were relatively few free blacks in the republic, legislators concerned over the status of…
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This Day in Texas History: (from the Texas State Historical Association archives) Texas Votes to Secede January 29, 1861 On this day in 1861, the Secession Convention of the state of Texas voted overwhelmingly to secede from the United States. South Carolina had seceded in December 1860. The election of Republican Abraham Lincoln precipitated the fall of…
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This day in Texas History: (from the Texas State Historical Association archives) “Know-Nothings” Abandon Secrecy, Meet in Austin January 21, 1856 On this day in 1856, the American or Know-Nothing party of Texas met for the first time in open convention in Austin. The party was the political manifestation of the xenophobic, anti-Catholic secret society known as the American…
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