3835 - Austin, Texas, United States of America

The area around Austin began to be settled by pioneers in the 1830s. Spanish forts were established at what are now the towns of Bastrop and San Marcos. In 1835-36, Texans fought against Mexico and won their independence. Texas became a country. The Texas Congress formed a commission in 1839 to look for a new capital city of Texas and chose the site where Austin is now. Originally the name was to be Waterloo, however, it was changed to Austin to honour Stephen F. Austin, the "Father of Texas" and the first secretary of state. 

Stephen F. Austin (1793 - 1836) was born in Virginia. In 1825, he led the second successful colonization of of the region by bringing 300 families and their slaves from the United States to the Tejas region of Mexico. Austin maintained good relations with the Mexican government and helped suppress the Fredonian Rebellion - the first attempt by Anglo Texans to secede from Mexico. He also helped introduce slavery to Texas, despite Mexico's opposition. 

When Texan settlers became dissatisfied with the Mexican government, he advocated for conciliation. When that didn't work, Austin led forces at the successful Siege of Béxar. After Texas established itself as a republic, Austin ran as a candidate for the 1836 Texas presidential election but was defeated by Sam Houston. Houston appointed Austin as secretary of state - a position he held until his death two months later on 27 December 1836 of pneumonia. He was buried at Gulf Prairie Cemetery in Brazoria County, Texas. He was reinterred at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin in 1910