TRUE — Texas Statehood Confirmed

Analysis summary

Texas officially became the 28th state on December 29, 1845, when President James K. Polk signed the joint resolution for its admission.

Key findings

• Texas officially became the 28th state on December 29, 1845, when President James K. Polk signed the Joint Resolution for the Admission of the State of Texas into the Union.
• Prior to joining the United States, Texas existed as an independent sovereign nation known as the Republic of Texas for nearly a decade (1836–1845).
• Although the legal date of statehood is December 29, 1845, the formal transfer of authority from the Republic to the new state government did not occur until February 19, 1846.
• The annexation of Texas was a major driver of the Mexican-American War, which began shortly after in 1846 due to border disputes.

Citations