A state of the south-central United States. It was admitted as the 28th state in 1845. Explored by the Spanish in the 1500s and 1600s, the region became a province of Mexico in the early 1800s. Texans won their independence in 1836 after a gallant but losing stand at the Alamo in February and a defeat of Santa Anna's forces at the Battle of San Jacinto (April 21). Denied admission as a state by antislavery forces in the US Congress, the leaders of Texas formed an independent republic that lasted until 1845. Austin is the capital.