1845:

Texas was admitted to statehood on December 29, 1845 as a slave state. The Mexican-American War was fought during 1846-48 after Mexico refused to relinquish its claims of sovereignty over Texas. Pictured here are General Scott and the U.S. Army occupying Mexico City.

1853:

Dec. 23, 1853 Governor E.M. Pease urged the Fifth Legislature to complete the survey of the Fifty Leagues appropriated for higher education in 1839 and to establish one state university instead of two. No action was taken.

1858:

Texas Governor E.M. Pease signed the bill for the establishment of the University of Texas on February 11, 1858. The Act granted the University of Texas $100,000 in U.S. bonds, as well as the original Fifty Leagues. In addition, the Act granted to the University 10% of the land reserved for the State under the Railroad Grant Act of 1854.