Native Americans
Until the arrival of Europeans in the 16th century, Texas was home to several Native American tribes. The Cadths lived in East Texas and were excellent farmers growing corn and sunflowers. The Karankawa tribe lived on the Gulf Coast of Texas.
They are good fishermen and built dugout canoes for their travels. The northwest was inhabited by the Comanche, hunters and excellent horsemen. In the west and southwest were the warlike Apaches, who lived in Wikiup and Tipi.
Information about Texas State:
| Capital | Austin |
| Population | 30,029,572 (Source: 2022 U.S. Census) |
| Major Cities | Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso |
| Borders | New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mexico, Gulf of Mexico |
| Gross Domestic Product (GDP) | $2,355,959.7 million (2022 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis) |
| Key Industries | Agriculture including cattle, sheep, goats, cotton, grains, and fishing Oil, natural gas, petroleum products, cement, energy, chemicals, and tourism |
Flag of Texas State:
Europeans Arrive
In 1519, while Alonso Alvarez de Pineda was mapping the coast, the Spaniards arrived in Texas. Another Spanish explorer, Cabeza de Vaca, was shipwrecked off the coast of Texas in 1528. He met the local Indians and lived there for seven years. He later wrote about the gold that motivated Spanish conquistadors, including Hernando de Soto, to explore Texas. But they found no gold.
Colonization
It was not until the late 17th century that Europeans began to settle in Texas. The French first claimed the land in 1685 when Robert de La Salle arrived and built Fort St. Louis. But the French did not last long in Texas, and soon the Spaniards seized power.
The Spaniards established a Catholic mission and settled in Texas. They established a series of missions throughout Texas to teach Christianity to Native Americans. San Antonio was founded in 1718 with the construction of the San Antonio de Valero Mission. This mission later became known as the Alamo.
Texas State Symbols
- Texas State Nickname: Lone Star State
- Texas State Slogan: It’s Like a Whole Other Country (this is used only in domestic advertising)
- Texas State Motto: Friendship
- Texas State flower: Bluebonnet
- Texas State bird: Mockingbird
- Texas State fish: Guadalupe bass
- Texas State tree: Pecan
- Texas State mammal: Armadillo, Texas Longhorn, Mexican free-tailed bat
- Texas State foods: Chili, Pecan, Jalapeno, Strudel, Tortilla chips and Salsa
Republic of Mexico
Texas was part of Mexico when Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821. In 1825, American Stephen F. Austin founded a colony in Texas. He arrived with about 300 families and settled with the approval of the Mexican government. The colony grew rapidly, but also had many disagreements with the Mexican government.
Republic of Texas
Tensions between Texans and Mexico culminated in the Battle of Gonzales in 1835. Fighting broke out across Texas and the Texas Revolution began. At the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, 180 Texans held off 4,000 Mexicans for 13 days before being killed.
Despite the defeat, the Texans declared independence on March 2, 1836 and established the Republic of Texas. A Texan army under General Sam Houston then defeated the Mexican army at the Battle of San Jacinto.
The Geography of Texas State:
- Total Size of Texas: 261,797 sq. miles (source: 2003 Census)
- Geographical Low Point of Texas: Gulf of Mexico at Sea Level (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Geographical High Point of Texas: Guadalupe Peak at 8,749 feet, located in the county/subdivision of Culberson (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Central Point of Texas: Located in McCulloch County approx. 15 miles northeast of Brady (source: U.S. Geological Survey)
- Counties of Texas: 254 (source: National Association of Counties)
- Bodies of Water of Texas: Gulf of Mexico, Rio Grande River, Pecos River, Red River, Colorado River, Brazos River, Toledo Bend Reservoir
Becoming a State
Although the Texans had declared independence, they were still highly vulnerable to attack from Mexico. Some wanted to join the United States, others wanted to remain independent.
Sam Houston persuaded Texas leaders that joining the United States would protect Texas from Mexico and its new trading partners. On December 29, 1845, Texas was incorporated as her 28th state.
Mexican-American War
When the United States recognized Texas as a state, a war between the United States and Mexico called the Mexican-American War broke out. After his one-and-a-half years of fighting from 1846 to 1848, Zachary his General Taylor led America to victory over Mexico. The war ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848.
Civil War
When the Civil War began in 1861, Texas seceded from the Union and joined the Confederate States of America. During the war, there was little actual fighting in Texas. After losing the war, the Texas slaves did not find out about it until June 19, 1865, a month later. The day is still celebrated as Juneteenth. Texas returned to the Commonwealth in 1870 of her.
What does the “six flags over Texas” mean?
In the history of Texas, her six countries or flags have ruled this country including Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, United States of America, and Confederate States of America.
Famous People of Texas State:
| NAMES | PROFESSIONS |
| Kelly Clarkson | Singer and American Idol winner |
| Drew Brees | Professional football player |
| Dwight D. Eisenhower | The 34th President of the United States and WWII general |
| Selena Gomez | Actress and singer |
| Howard Hughes | Businessman and aviator |
| Lyndon B. Johnson | The 36th President of the United States |
| Beyonce Knowles | Singer and actress |
| Tom Landry | Legendary football coach |
| Steve Martin | Comedian and actor |
| Adrian Peterson | Professional football player |
| Sandra Day O’Connor | First woman U.S. Supreme Court Justice |
| Babe Didrikson Zaharias | Track and field athlete |
| Nolan Ryan | Professional baseball player |
| Kenny Rogers | Country music singer |
| Dan Rather | News Anchor |
Interesting Facts of Texas State:
The name Texas comes from the word “tejas,” which means “friend” or “ally.”
Austin, Texas has been called the “Live Music Capital of the World”.
King Ranch in Texas is larger than Rhode Island.
Bracken Cave is home to the world’s largest population of mammals, with over 20 million bats.
The Lone Star State is named after her single star on the Texas flag. It symbolized Texas’ struggle for independence.
El Paso, Texas is closer to the California border than Dallas, Texas. Texas is so big!
Texas had six member states, including Spain, Mexico, France, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and the United States.
Dr Pepper was invented in Waco, Texas.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area has more people than her 39 states in the United States.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Lyndon B. Johnson was born in Texas.
Timeline Overview:
1519 – Spanish explorer Alonso Alvarez de Pineda maps the Texas coast.
1528 – The Cabeza de Vaca is wrecked off the coast of Texas.
1685 – The French build Fort St. Louis and claim Texas.
1718 – San Antonio is founded as a Spanish mission.
1821 – Mexico becomes independent from Spain. Texas is part of Mexico.
1825 – Stephen F. Austin founded the Settler Colony.
1836 – The Battle of the Alamo takes place. The independence of the Republic of Texas is declared.
1845 – The US Congress recognizes Texas as the 28th state.
1846-1848 – The Mexican-American War takes place on the Texas-Mexico border.
1861 – Texas leaves the Union and joins the Confederate States of America.
1870 – Texas returns to the Union.
1900 – A hurricane hits Galveston, killing thousands.
1901 – Oil is discovered and the oil boom begins.
1963 – President John F. Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas.