Texas, often referred to as the Lone Star State, is a land rich in history, culture, and superlatives. From its vast landscapes and influential role in the nation’s history to its unique cuisine and iconic landmarks, Texas has carved out a distinctive identity that is recognized and celebrated around the world.
Size:
Texas is the second-largest U.S. state by both area and population, covering 268,596 square miles and home to nearly 29 million people.
Six Flags:
Texas is known as the “Six Flags state” because six nations have ruled over it: Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and the United States.
State Capital:
The Texas State Capitol in Austin is one of the largest state capitols in the country and is even taller than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
The Alamo:
Located in San Antonio, The Alamo is the site of a pivotal battle in 1836 during the Texas Revolution against Mexico.
Live Music Capital of the World:
Austin is known as the “Live Music Capital of the World” due to its vibrant live music scene and numerous music festivals, including South by Southwest (SXSW).
State Fair of Texas:
Held annually in Dallas, it is the largest state fair in the U.S. by annual attendance and is famous for its unique deep-fried foods and the iconic Big Tex statue.
Dr Pepper:
Created in 1885 by a pharmacist in Waco, Dr Pepper is one of the oldest major soft drink brands in the United States.
NASA’s Johnson Space Center:
Located in Houston, it serves as the lead NASA center for human spaceflight and is where mission control is located.
Texas Longhorns:
One of the most recognized university sports programs in the U.S., based at the University of Texas in Austin, known for its distinctive burnt orange colors.
King Ranch:
Larger than the state of Rhode Island, King Ranch near Kingsville is one of the largest ranches in the world.
Texas Barbecue:
Known for its distinctive styles that vary between regions; Central Texas is famous for its beef brisket cooked with a simple rub.
Oil Industry:
The discovery of oil at Spindletop near Beaumont in 1901 led to an oil boom that drastically transformed the Texas economy.
Wind Power:
Texas leads all other U.S. states in wind power production and, if it were a country, would rank fifth in the world.
Fort Worth Stockyards:
Once among the largest livestock markets in the world, it now serves as a popular tourist attraction with rodeos and cowboy culture.
Bluebonnets:
The state flower of Texas, these wildflowers cover the Texas Hill Country every spring, creating breathtaking scenes.
Tex-Mex Cuisine:
A regional cuisine that combines Mexican and Texan flavors, known for dishes like nachos, fajitas, and queso dip.
Port of Houston:
One of the top seaports in the world by cargo volume and a major economic engine for the Houston area.
San Antonio River Walk:
A city park and network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River, lined by bars, shops, restaurants, and attractions.
Big Bend National Park:
Known for its dramatic desert scenery, diverse wildlife, and recreational opportunities, it is one of the largest national parks in the U.S.
The Texas Rangers:
Not just a baseball team, the original Texas Rangers were a law enforcement agency established in 1835 that played a crucial role in the state’s history.
Lone Star Flag:
The state flag, known for its single star, symbolizes Texas’s former status as an independent republic.
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo:
The largest livestock exhibitions and rodeo in the world which attracts over two million visitors each year.
Pecan Tree:
The state tree of Texas, pecan trees are native to the state and the pecan is also the state nut.
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez:
Often known simply as Selena, she was an influential Tejano singer from Texas whose life and music left a lasting impact on Latin music and culture.
German Influence:
Texas has a significant German cultural heritage, especially in the Hill Country around Fredericksburg and New Braunfels.
Galveston Hurricane of 1900:
The deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history, this hurricane devastated Galveston Island, leading to significant changes in storm preparedness.
Texas Independence:
Texas declared independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836, and this day is celebrated annually as Texas Independence Day.
Battleship Texas:
The first battleship memorial museum in the U.S., located near Houston, served in both World Wars.
Texas Chili:
Officially recognized as the state dish, Texas chili is unique because it traditionally does not include beans.
Texas A&M University:
Known for its Corps of Cadets program, which is one of the oldest and largest uniformed student body organizations in the country.
Spanish Exploration:
The first European to map the Texas coastline was Spanish explorer Alonso Álvarez de Pineda in 1519.
Indigenous Peoples:
Before European contact, Texas was inhabited by numerous Native American tribes, including the Comanche, Apache, and Caddo.
First Mission:
The first Spanish mission in Texas, Mission San Francisco de los Tejas, was established in 1690.
Presidio San Antonio de Béxar:
Founded in 1718, it served as the foundation for the city of San Antonio and was a key location in early Texas history.
French Influence:
The French established a short-lived colony at Fort St. Louis on the Texas coast in 1685, influencing Spanish efforts to settle Texas more aggressively.
Empresario System:
In the 1820s, the Mexican government invited settlers to Texas through the empresario system, granting land to agents who recruited settlers.
Stephen F. Austin:
Known as the “Father of Texas,” Austin brought the first 300 families to settle in Texas, known as the “Old Three Hundred.”
Mexican Independence:
Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, and Texas became part of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas.
Constitution of 1824:
The Mexican Constitution of 1824 granted Texas significant autonomy, which later became a point of contention.
Anahuac Disturbances:
In 1832 and 1835, conflicts between Texian settlers and Mexican authorities at Anahuac were early signs of growing tension.
Convention of 1832:
Texian leaders met to draft requests for separate statehood within Mexico, but their petition was ignored.
Gonzales “Come and Take It”:
The Battle of Gonzales in 1835 marked the first military engagement of the Texas Revolution, symbolized by the “Come and Take It” flag.
Siege of Béxar:
Texian forces captured San Antonio from Mexican troops in December 1835 after a prolonged siege.
The Alamo:
The Battle of the Alamo in March 1836, where a small group of Texian defenders held out against a much larger Mexican force, became a rallying cry for Texas independence.
Goliad Massacre:
In March 1836, over 300 Texian prisoners of war were executed by Mexican forces at Goliad, further fueling the Texian resolve.
Battle of San Jacinto:
On April 21, 1836, Texian forces under General Sam Houston defeated Mexican General Santa Anna, securing Texas independence.
Treaties of Velasco:
Signed in May 1836, these treaties officially ended the Texas Revolution and recognized Texas independence, though Mexico later repudiated them.
Republic of Texas:
Texas declared itself an independent republic on March 2, 1836, and remained an independent nation until it joined the United States in 1845.
First President:
Sam Houston was elected the first President of the Republic of Texas in 1836.
Annexation:
Texas was annexed by the United States on December 29, 1845, becoming the 28th state in the Union.
