Following Mexican depredations into Texas in 1842, President Sam Houston deemed the still-frontier town of Austin to be in danger of falling into enemy hands. Therefore he ordered the removal of the seat of government, as well as all of its records, from Austin to Houston. This provoked a blustery response from the citizens of … Read more
The Battle of the Alamo was fought during the Texas revolution at a small fort in San Antonio, Texas. It lasted from February 26 to March 6, 1836. Many famous Texan and American figures lost their lives during the 13-day siege, including James “Jim” Bowie, William B. Travis, and Davy Crockett. All 200 Texan defenders … Read more
The Texas Declaration of Independence was produced, literally, overnight. Its urgency was important as the Alamo in San Antonio was currently under siege by Santa Anna’s army of Mexico. Immediately upon the gathering for the Convention of 1836 on March 1, 1836, a committee of five of its delegates was appointed to draft the document. The committee, … Read more
The Texas Ordinance of Secession was the document that officially separated Texas from the United States in 1861. It was adopted by the Secession Convention on February 1 of that year, by a vote of 166 to 8. The adoption of the ordinance was one of a series of events that led to Texas’ entry into the … Read more
The following are among the most referenced of early Texas documents. They have earned a prominent place in the rich history of Texas in the ninteenth century. Travis’ Appeal from the AlamoFebruary 24, 1836 Texas Declaration of IndependenceMarch 2, 1836 Treaty of Velasco(including Spanish transcription)May 14, 1836 Resolution Annexing Texas to the United StatesMarch 1, … Read more
Pardon us for showing our pride. But if your state could boast these facts, y’all would be proud too! The following facts about Texas were compiled by TexasProud based on the Guinness Book of World Records and other reliable sources. The State Capitol in Austin stands largest among all the states. The San Jacinto Monument near Houston is … Read more
A colonizer and statesman, Manuel Lorenzo Justiniano de Zavala was one of the most talented and capable of the many native Mexicans involved in Texas’ struggle for independence from Mexico. He was born in the villiage of Tecoh in what is now the state of Yucatan, Mexico, on October 3, 1789. While still in his … Read more
Texas. The “Lone Star State”. The nickname was made notable by the single star on the state flag. Texas has a long history of notable flags. Have you ever been to a Six Flags theme park? It is said that the name comes from the six nations that once ruled over the state. The history … Read more
Scientifically named Lupinus texensis, the bluebonnet is the official flower of Texas and was adopted by the Texas state legislature in 1901. Also known as the buffalo clover, wolf flower, and “el conejo” (“rabbit” in Spanish), the vibrant sapphire blue petals are said to resemble the bonnets worn by pioneer women to shield them from the … Read more
Topaz is the Texas state gemstone as well as the birthstone for the month of November. It occurs naturally in many colors including blue, orange, brown, green, pink, beige and red. Colorless topaz, a common variation, can be treated by irradiation to produce a wide range of shades of blue. Thus treated, blue topaz is … Read more