Texas became the 28th state this week in 1845 It was the least that Texas could do for the United States

TEXAS Y'ALL: Maps that help explain Texas in 2016

Check out these maps that show what defines the Lone Star State. From burger chains to NFL fans to gerrymandering, we look at the most fascinating maps about Texas.

Keep going for a look at maps that help explain Texas' politics, along with equally important things like football, state pride and Whataburger... less TEXAS Y'ALL: Maps that help explain Texas in 2016

Check out these maps that show what defines the Lone Star State. From burger chains to NFL fans to gerrymandering, we look at the most fascinating maps about ... more Photo: Thomas Gamaliel Bradford, University Of Texas Libraries Photo: Thomas Gamaliel Bradford, University Of Texas Libraries Image 1 of / 45 Caption Close Texas became the 28th state this week in 1845 1 / 45 Back to Gallery

On this date in 1845, the state of Texas was officially admitted into the United States as the 28th state. President James K. Polk signed the papers welcoming Texas into the union.

Earlier that year the Republic of Texas approved annexation by the U.S., ending our time as a nation unto ourselves. Texas citizens approved annexation and a new constitution on Oct. 13, 1845.

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On Feb. 19, 1846 Texas’ President Anson Jones officially handed over the state government to Governor James Pinckney Henderson.

"The final act in this great drama is now performed; the Republic of Texas is no more,” Jones declared.

Within a few months the U.S. declared war on Mexico, kicking off the Mexican-American War which lasted until 1848. No declaration of war was ever declared by Mexico though.

By the end of the war Mexico would lose nearly all of present-day California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico, spreading the U.S. all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Under the watch of President James K. Polk, the U.S. dream of “manifest destiny” had become a reality.

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Texas remained a state until it seceded from the union in Feb. 1861, against the protestations of Sam Houston, and joined the Confederate States during the Civil War.

It was not reinstated until March 1870, when the U.S. Congress readmitted Texas into the Union, although the state did not meet all the formal requirements needed for readmission.