WHAT MAKES TEXAS “TEXAS”? Here's Some Stuff Y'all Oughta Know
M
arch 6 is the 186th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo. Most Americans are familiar with that history and, if you went to public school here, you most likely had Texas history for a full year before reaching seventh grade. If you didn't, here's some stuff you may have missed.
MORE THAN A THEME PARK The story behind Six Flags' name dates back to 1933, when Texas began pledging allegiance to our state flag. Sixteen other states do the same, but a survey of newcomers revealed most didn't know if their home state had a state pledge and certainly never recited it daily at school or at civic meetings and sports events. 28 28
HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG; I P L E D G E A L L E G I A N C E TO T H E E , T E X A S , O N E S TAT E U N D E R G O D, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. This pledge is so important to Texans because, since the 17th century, Texas has been under six sovereign flags. The earliest flags were for Spain and France, which controlled parts of Texas at different times. Next was Mexico, after the nation gained independence from Spain. In 1836, Texas declared independence from Mexico—remember the Alamo—and became a Republic under interim President David Burnet. Sam Houston was the republic's military commander, and later president.
image credit: car2go.com
So You're New to Texas?
by Ann Marie Kennon
