28 February

The United States Congress gave final legislative approval to the Joint Resolution providing for the annexation of Texas, marking a decisive moment in American territorial expansion. The process had begun a day earlier, on 27 February, when the Senate passed the resolution by a narrow margin of 27 to 25. The vote was initially tied, but one senator changed his position, allowing the measure to pass by a two vote difference. The following day, the House of Representatives approved the Senate version by 132 votes to 76, completing congressional action. On 1 March 1845, President John Tyler signed the resolution into law.

At the time of annexation, the United States consisted of 27 states. Texas entered the Union as the 28th state. With an area of approximately 695,662 square kilometres, its admission significantly expanded the territorial footprint of the country. This was not merely a symbolic addition to the map. The territory carried immense economic potential, including vast agricultural lands, mineral resources, and, in later decades, major oil and gas discoveries.

Following annexation, land settlement and distribution accelerated. Although Texas retained control over much of its public domain, integration into the American system encouraged structured land grants, railroad allocations, new town development, and organised settlement patterns. In subsequent years, federal legislation such as the Homestead Act widened access to land ownership and contributed to the long term expansion of the American real estate market.

Today, Texas remains one of the largest and most influential real estate markets in the United States by area and economic activity. While California and New York typically command higher land values in absolute price terms, Texas ranks first in total agricultural land area and continues to hold strategic importance due to its industrial base and energy sector.