September has been a month of turning points in Texas history. Across the years, these thirty days have seen the birth of influential leaders, landmark political decisions, groundbreaking moments in education, and defining cultural traditions. The month also carries the memory of fierce battles, powerful storms, and economic milestones that shaped communities across the state.
By revisiting these events we can see how each moment—whether a triumph, a tragedy, or a step forward in progress—has contributed to the story of the Lone Star State.
| Date | Category | Event |
|---|---|---|
| September 1, 1969 | Education | Texas Technological College officially becomes Texas Tech University |
| September 5, 1836 | Politics/Government | Sam Houston is elected the first president of the Republic of Texas |
| September 7, 1853 | Infrastructure/Business | First 20-mile segment of the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos and Colorado Railway opens (Harrisburg to Stafford’s Point) |
| September 8, 1863 | Military/Conflict | Battle of Sabine Pass: Confederate forces repel a Union naval assault |
| September 8, 1900 | Disaster | Great Galveston Hurricane strikes, the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history |
| September 9, 1921 | Disaster | San Antonio flood peaks as remnant tropical moisture stalls over the region |
| September 12, 1962 | Culture/Science | President John F. Kennedy delivers the “We choose to go to the Moon” speech at Rice University |
| September 15, 1883 | Education | The University of Texas at Austin formally opens |
| September 15, 1896 | Culture/Disaster | Crash at Crush publicity event ends in fatal boiler explosions near Waco |
| September 18, 1842 | Military/Conflict | Battle of Salado Creek near San Antonio |
| September 24, 2005 | Disaster | Hurricane Rita makes landfall just east of Sabine Pass near the Texas–Louisiana border |
| September 29, 1843 | Politics/Government | Treaty of Bird’s Fort signed between the Republic of Texas and several Indigenous nations |
| September 30, 1925 | Education | Texas Technological College opens in Lubbock (now Texas Tech University) |
September 1
1969 – Texas Technological College becomes Texas Tech University (Education)
The institution in Lubbock, founded on September 30, 1925, was renamed to reflect its expanded academic offerings and research scope. This shift helped position it as a major public research university serving West Texas and beyond.
September 2
1869 – Great Fire of New Braunfels (Disaster)
A devastating fire swept through the city’s business district, destroying numerous buildings and halting economic growth for years. The largely German immigrant community rebuilt, but the event remained one of the town’s major early setbacks.
1964 – Civil Rights Act implementation in Texas (Politics/Government)
Although passed in July, its provisions banning segregation in public facilities and discrimination in employment began to take hold across Texas in September, changing legal and social structures.
September 3
1783 – Treaty of Paris signed (Politics/Government/National Context)
The treaty ending the American Revolution granted the U.S. vast western lands. While Texas was still part of Spain, this set in motion territorial ambitions that would eventually reach the region.
September 4
1914 – Ford opens Dallas assembly plant (Infrastructure/Business)
One of the earliest major automobile manufacturing facilities in the Southwest, it brought new industrial jobs and signaled Texas’s shift toward diversified economic activity beyond agriculture.
September 5
1867 – Chisholm Trail established (Infrastructure/Business/Agriculture)
Became the primary route for moving millions of Texas cattle to Kansas railheads, fueling the post–Civil War cattle boom and the cowboy era.
September 6
1901 – Preparations for Spindletop oil drilling (Infrastructure/Business)
In the months before the January 1901 gusher, workers drilled deeper near Beaumont, unaware they were on the verge of a strike that would transform Texas into an oil giant.
1900 – Galveston Hurricane forming (Disaster)
Meteorologists of the era tracked weather reports with limited tools. Residents had little warning as the storm intensified in the Gulf.
September 7
1863 – Battle of Sabine Pass (Military/Conflict)
A force of 47 Confederate soldiers, mostly Irish immigrants from Houston’s Davis Guard, stopped a Union fleet of over 4,000 men, capturing two gunboats without losing a man.
September 8
1900 – Galveston Hurricane strikes (Disaster)
Winds over 130 mph and a storm surge of 15 feet devastated the island city, destroying thousands of buildings. The disaster spurred engineering feats like the seawall and raising the island’s elevation.
1922 – Birth of Lyndon B. Johnson (Politics/Government)
Born in the Texas Hill Country, LBJ rose to the presidency in 1963, championing civil rights, Medicare, and education reforms.
September 9
1836 – Republic of Texas organizes first regular army (Military/Conflict)
Created to replace ad hoc volunteer militias, the army secured the new nation’s independence against renewed Mexican threats.
1945 – UT Austin plays first football game after WWII (Sports)
The game marked a symbolic return to normalcy for students and alumni after wartime disruptions.
September 10
1884 – Texas State Fair charter granted (Culture)
Dallas businessmen secured a charter for what would evolve into one of the largest state fairs in the country.
1949 – Texas City Disaster report released (Disaster)
Investigators documented how a ship carrying ammonium nitrate exploded in April 1947, killing nearly 600 and reshaping industrial safety practices.
September 11
1836 – Sam Houston elected first president of Republic of Texas (Politics/Government)
Fresh from his victory at San Jacinto, Houston was chosen to lead the new republic toward stability and eventual U.S. statehood.
1999 – Texas A&M Bonfire Memorial dedicated (Culture/Sports)
The memorial honors students who died during the collapse of the annual rivalry bonfire construction, a tradition dating to 1909.
September 12
1845 – Constitutional Convention convenes in Austin (Politics/Government)
Delegates drafted a constitution in anticipation of Texas joining the United States later that year.
1962 – JFK’s “We choose to go to the Moon” speech in Houston (Culture/Science)
At Rice University, Kennedy set an ambitious goal to land a man on the Moon before 1970, cementing Houston’s place in the space race.
September 13
1847 – Texas Rangers reorganized (Military/Conflict/Law Enforcement)
Following service in the Mexican–American War, the Rangers were restructured to protect settlers and maintain law on the expanding frontier.
1981 – Big Tex returns to the State Fair (Culture)
After repairs and updates, the towering cowboy figure resumed greeting fair visitors, reinforcing a beloved tradition.
September 14
1829 – Mexico abolishes slavery (Politics/Government)
This decree applied to Mexican Texas, fueling disputes with Anglo settlers who relied on enslaved labor.
1876 – Texas A&M opens (Education)
Founded as a land-grant school emphasizing agriculture and mechanics, it grew into a major research university.
September 15
1885 – University of Texas at Austin opens (Education)
The flagship campus welcomed students in temporary quarters before its main building was completed.
1896 – Crash at Crush (Culture/Disaster)
A publicity stunt orchestrated by the Katy Railroad went wrong when two staged locomotive crashes caused exploding boilers, killing two spectators.
1951 – Texas City Disaster lawsuit filed (Politics/Government/Legal)
One of the first large-scale suits against the U.S. government under the Federal Tort Claims Act, it sought compensation for explosion victims.
September 16
1810 – Grito de Dolores commemorated in Texas (Culture)
Mexican Texans and communities along the Rio Grande celebrated Mexico’s call for independence from Spain.
1861 – Confederates seize San Antonio Arsenal (Military/Conflict)
Local Confederate forces took over a key U.S. military supply depot early in the Civil War.
September 17
1842 – Battle of Salado Creek (Military/Conflict)
Texian forces under Mathew Caldwell repelled Mexican General Adrián Woll’s invasion, safeguarding San Antonio.
September 18
1908 – Orville Wright flies first airplane in Texas (Science/Technology)
Demonstrated military aviation potential at Fort Sam Houston for U.S. Army officers.
September 19
1863 – First Battle of Sabine Pass (Military/Conflict)
An earlier engagement at this strategic waterway reinforced Confederate control of Texas’s coastline.
September 20
1845 – Texas votes for annexation to the U.S. (Politics/Government)
The decision finalized the state’s path to joining the Union later that year.
1881 – First train arrives in Lubbock (Infrastructure/Business)
Rail access fueled growth, drawing settlers and supporting agriculture.
September 21
1866 – Texas readmitted to the Union (Politics/Government)
Rejoined under Reconstruction after meeting federal conditions.
1989 – Johnson Space Center’s 30th anniversary (Culture/Science)
Celebrated Houston’s role as mission control for U.S. space exploration.
September 22
1856 – First railroad in Texas begins operations (Infrastructure/Business)
The Buffalo Bayou, Brazos & Colorado Railway linked Harrisburg to Stafford’s Point, boosting trade and travel.
September 23
1835 – Texians capture Presidio La Bahía at Goliad (Military/Conflict)
Secured an important stronghold early in the Texas Revolution.
2005 – Hurricane Rita impacts Texas (Disaster)
Made landfall near the Texas–Louisiana border, causing widespread damage and power outages.
September 24
1883 – University of Texas at Austin officially opens (Education)
Marked by ceremonies and speeches, solidifying its role as the state’s flagship university.
September 25
1835 – Texas Rangers formally established (Military/Conflict/Law Enforcement)
Authorized by the provisional government to protect settlers and enforce order.
September 26
1908 – Adina De Zavala stages Alamo preservation protest (Culture/Preservation)
Her three-day standoff helped prevent demolition of historic Alamo buildings.
1913 – First women’s suffrage rally in Texas (Politics/Government/Social Movement)
Organized in Dallas to push for voting rights for women.
September 27
1875 – Red River War ends (Military/Conflict)
U.S. Army operations subdued Southern Plains tribes, forcing them onto reservations.
September 28
1835 – Preparations for Battle of Gonzales begin (Military/Conflict)
Texian settlers refuse to return a cannon loaned by Mexican authorities, escalating tensions.
1947 – Texas City Disaster investigation concludes (Disaster)
Final report identified safety lapses and handling errors with ammonium nitrate cargo.
September 29
1843 – Treaty of Bird’s Fort signed (Politics/Government)
Secured peace between the Republic of Texas and multiple Native American tribes.
1867 – First Reconstruction legislature meets (Politics/Government)
Worked under federal oversight to reframe state law after the Civil War.
September 30
1868 – Texas Constitutional Convention begins (Politics/Government)
Delegates drafted a constitution to comply with federal Reconstruction requirements.
1925 – Texas Technological College opens (Education)
Started with fewer than 1,000 students; later became Texas Tech University.
From early battles that secured Texas’s independence to modern milestones in education, culture, and industry, September’s dates mark moments that continue to shape the state’s character. These events remind us that Texas history is not just a collection of isolated incidents but an ongoing narrative built by its people’s choices, resilience, and vision. Looking back on these milestones offers perspective on how far Texas has come and insight into the forces that will guide its future.
