When Texas Was Its Own Country

Texas was an independent nation, the Republic of Texas, for nearly ten years between 1836 and 1846. After winning independence from Mexico at the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836, Texas governed itself, maintained its own army and navy, sent ambassadors abroad, and negotiated treaties with foreign powers. The republic was perpetually broke, deeply in debt, and threatened by Mexican attempts to reclaim it, which is why its leadership eventually sought annexation by the United States. When Texas joined the Union in 1845 it negotiated the right to divide itself into up to five separate states, a right it has never exercised.

Source: Wikipedia