What was the significance of 1836?

• A. Texas won its independence
• B. Texas joined the United States
• C. The Alamo fell
• D. Santa Anna defeated the Texans

Answer: (B)

1836 is the year Texas became independent from Mexico, forming the Republic of Texas. After months of fighting in the Texas Revolution, Texan forces led by Sam Houston defeated Santa Anna at San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, which forced Santa Anna to surrender and set the stage for international recognition of Texas as its own country. The fall of the Alamo and other battles that year helped fuel Texan resolve, but the lasting change was independence, with Texas later joining the United States in 1845.