It was March 2, 1836, Texas Independence Day, when historians believe the original and five copies of the declaration were made and signed by 59 men at Washington-on-the-Brazos.
Only the original document remains. Until April, the pages are on rare public display at the Texas Archives and Library in Austin.
With the creation of the revolutionary document, settlers broke away from Mexico to create the Republic of Texas. The new republic was led by interim-President David G. Burnet until the election of President Sam Houston later that year.
Texas remained a republic until being annexed by the United States 1845.