What Happened in 1836 — Events, Births & Deaths

King William IV signs Letters Patent establishing the province of South Australia.

Samuel Colt is granted a United States patent for his revolver firearm.

Texas Revolution: Battle of the Alamo: After a thirteen-day siege by an army of over 1,800 Mexican troops, the 257 Texas volunteers, including frontiersman Davy Crockett and colonel Jim Bowie, defending the Alamo are killed and the fort is captured.

Texas Revolution: On the orders of General Antonio López de Santa Anna, the Mexican Army massacres 342 Texian Army POWs at Goliad, Texas.

U.S. Congress passes an act creating the Wisconsin Territory.

Texas Revolution: The Battle of San Jacinto: Republic of Texas forces under Sam Houston defeat troops under Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna.

Texas Revolution: A day after the Battle of San Jacinto, forces under Texas General Sam Houston identify Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna among the captives of the battle when some of his fellow soldiers mistakenly give away his identity.

Formation of Ancient Order of Hibernians.

The Treaties of Velasco are signed in Velasco, Texas.

Francis Baily observes "Baily's beads" during an annular eclipse.

The formation of the London Working Men's Association gives rise to the Chartist Movement.

The city of Houston is founded by Augustus Chapman Allen and John Kirby Allen.

Narcissa Whitman, one of the first English-speaking white women to settle west of the Rocky Mountains, arrives at Walla Walla, Washington.

Sam Houston is inaugurated as the first President of the Republic of Texas.

Louis Napoleon launches the unsuccessful Strasbourg Coup to overthrow the July Monarchy in France

The worst ever avalanche in England occurs at Lewes, Sussex, killing eight people.

South Australia and Adelaide are founded.

Spain recognizes the independence of Mexico with the signing of the Santa María–Calatrava Treaty.