Save Texas History

On this day in 1819, a provisional Texas government headed by filibusterer James Long declared independence from Spain.

Though he had 300 men under his command, he was driven from Texas by the end of the year.

Long returned to Texas and captured La Bahía in October 1820, but he surrendered after four days.

He was taken prisoner and sent to Mexico City, where he was shot and killed while imprisoned.

Read more:
https://www.tshaonline.org/texas-day-by-day/entry/559

June 19, 1865, marked a pivotal moment in Texas history.

On this day, General Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3 in Galveston, Texas, declaring that “...all slaves are free," signaling the end of slavery.

Have you ever heard of Texas’ ghost counties? The map below provides a record of Texas's changing political geography.

Published in 1939 by the Works Project Administration, a New Deal project to combat the effects of the Great Depression, the "Map of Defunct and Ghost Counties in Texas" details at least 32 historical counties that were abolished, absorbed, or renamed.

Learn more:
https://medium.com/save-texas-history/map-of-defunct-and-ghost-counties-in-texas-452107c3f06c