An Introduction to Texas

Texas History

The history of Texas, broadly speaking, has two important parts. Firstly, that of the end of the Upper Paleolithic Period, dating back to 10,000 BC. Several nations have played a part in shaping the destiny and history of Texas. To name them, Spain, France, Mexico, The Republic of Texas, The Confederacy, and the United States would stand such in order. Before the Europeans arrived, the State was the meeting point (or call it the melting pot), for the Native American cultural groups. The process has continuity and the recent history of the State is the interactions between the Mexican, Southwestern, Southern, German, and the Tejano cultural groups.

Native American tribes that once lived inside the boundaries of present-day Texas include the Apache, Atakapan, Bidai, Caddo, Comanche, Cherokee, Karankawa, Kiowa, Tonkawa, and Wichita. Currently, there are three federally recognized Native American tribes that reside in Texas: the Alabama-Coushatta Tribes of Texas, the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, and the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo of Texas.

Between 1690 and 1821, the Spanish ruled Texas, for 130 long years. It was governed by New Spain as a Spanish Colony. This was done by destroying the French Colony of Fort Saint Louis. The rule continued till 1821, with the independence of Mexico.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the tussle between Spain and France continued. They governed the parts of Texas. The Spanish were based in Mexico and New Mexico. The French ruled Louisiana. Then the War of Quadruple Alliance followed in Europe which created waves in Mexico as well. The French succeeded in defeating the Spanish and establishing control over Texas. By the end of the 19th century, the French sold their North American holdings to the United States. Spanish control of parts of Texas was thus threatened.

Ask anyone, to name a city in Texas, and Dallas would be the obvious choice. Dallas is the famous city of the Cowboys, and the Rangers, and the place where the then President of the USA, John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

This history of Texas is closely linked to the history of its important city Dallas. Its beginning could be traced to a spot on the banks of the Trinity River. It was the linking spot between North Texas and South Texas.

The history of Texas is a story of secession and readmission. In the first election after the independence in the year 1836, the Texans voted in favor of joining the United States. But, all attempts to arrive at a formal annexation treaty failed. The United States Congress took the matter to its logical conclusions, and a simple majority resolution was passed for annexing Texas to the United States. But, that was done under certain specific conditions, under which Texas reserved many important rights.

The uncertainty, however, continued till the year 1845, when the Texas voters approved the USA proposal for total annexation, and such a proposal was submitted to the United States Congress.

The history of Texas, right from the Paleolithic period to the modern era, is colorful, full of conflicts and resolutions. A true composite culture has evolved out of all these trials and tribulations. It is a fascinating country for adventure-seeking people.

Important Dates in Texas History

Year	Event
9200 BC	Paleo-Indian cultures inhabit the region that is now Texas
3000 BC	Archaic cultures develop in Texas, with increased reliance on hunting, gathering, and plant cultivation
500 AD	Native American cultures in Texas begin practicing agriculture
1519	Alonso Álvarez de Pineda explores the Texas coast
1685	René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, establishes Fort Saint Louis in Texas
1718	Founding of San Antonio and Mission San Antonio de Padua
1821	Mexico gains independence from Spain; Texas becomes part of Mexico
1836	Texas Declaration of Independence; Battle of the Alamo; Battle of San Jacinto; Republic of Texas established
1845	Texas’s annexation to the United States
1861-1865	Texas secedes and joins Confederacy; Civil War
1876	Adoption of the Texas Constitution
1901	Discovery of Spindletop oil field
1901	Texas A&M University opens
1901	The University of Texas at Austin opens
1947	Lyndon B. Johnson becomes a U.S. Congressman
1963	President John F. Kennedy assassinated in Dallas
1966	University of Texas at Austin shooting
1969	First successful human heart transplant by Dr. Denton Cooley in Houston
1973	Texas Instruments introduces the first handheld calculator
1985	Explosion of the Space Shuttle Challenger
2000	George W. Bush was elected President of the United States
2005	Hurricane Katrina and its impact on Texas, particularly Houston
2017	Hurricane Harvey devastates parts of Texas, causing severe flooding
2021	Winter Storm Uri causes widespread power outages and water disruptions

Origin Of Texas

The evolution of the name of Texas seems to be as fascinating as the history of the evolution of the Texas State itself. Texas is derived from the Caddo Indian word, “teyshas”. The literal import of this word is “friends” or “allies”. One must say, Texas has lived true to its name, during its history, especially that of the last two centuries. It is the history of conflicts, alliances, friends made and friends lost. A unique culture and synthesis of races emerged out of all these trials and tribulations for the natives of the country. To add his own confusion to the name, a Spanish explorer thought it to be the name of a tribe, and in his recordings, he referred to the name as Teyas of Tejas! (Tejas is a Sanskrit word, meaning brilliance!) The alliance concept of Texas is honored and also respected in the state motto which is ”Friendship”.

98 Fun Facts for Kids about Texas

1. Texas is the second-largest state in the United States.
2. The state nickname is the “Lone Star State.”
3. The state motto is “Friendship.”
4. The official state bird is the Northern Mockingbird.
5. Texas is known for its delicious BBQ and Tex-Mex cuisine.
6. The capital of Texas is Austin.
7. The largest city in Texas is Houston.
8. The state flower is the Bluebonnet.
9. The famous Alamo is located in San Antonio.
10. Texas has deserts, forests, beaches, and mountains.
11. The state tree is the Pecan tree.
12. The tallest point in Texas is Guadalupe Peak.
13. Texas is home to the NASA Space Center in Houston.
14. The state insect is the Monarch Butterfly.
15. The Armadillo is the state small mammal.
16. The official state fruit is the Texas Red Grapefruit.
17. Texas has its own power grid, separate from the rest of the U.S.
18. The state fish is the Guadalupe Bass.
19. The state reptile is the Texas Horned Lizard.
20. Texas has more farms than any other state.
21. The state gem is the Blue Topaz.
22. The famous Texas Longhorn cattle are a symbol of the state.
23. The state dog is the Blue Lacy.
24. Texas is known for its big skies and beautiful sunsets.
25. The Chihuahuan Desert is the largest desert in Texas.
26. The state dinosaur is the Paluxysaurus Jonesi.
27. Texas is home to the Gulf of Mexico coastline.
28. The Texas State Fair is one of the largest in the U.S.
29. The state vegetable is the Texas Sweet Onion.
30. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a big event in Texas.
31. The official state pepper is the Jalapeño Pepper.
32. Texas is famous for its wildflowers in the spring.
33. The state crustacean is the Texas Gulf Shrimp.
34. The state song is “Texas, Our Texas.”
35. Texas is known for its country music and dance halls.
36. The state flying mammal is the Mexican Free-Tailed Bat.
37. The state shell is the Lightning Whelk.
38. Texas has its own unique shape, often compared to a boot.
39. The state sport is rodeo.
40. Texas has over 90 state parks for outdoor adventures.
41. The state instrument is the guitar.
42. The Texas bluebonnet is the state flower.
43. Texas was once an independent country called the Republic of Texas.
44. The state fiber is cotton.
45. The largest urban bat colony in North America is in Austin.
46. The state native pepper is the Chiltepin Pepper.
47. Texas is famous for its cowboy culture and history.
48. The official state mammal is the Nine-banded Armadillo.
49. The state plant is the Prickly Pear Cactus.
50. Texas has its own dance, the Texas Two-Step.
51. The state wildflower is the Texas Bluebonnet.
52. The state rock is the Petrified Palmwood.
53. Texas is home to the iconic cowboy hat.
54. Texas has some of the best stargazing spots in the U.S.
55. The state dish is Chili.
56. The state large mammal is the Texas Longhorn.
57. Texas has a diverse cultural heritage with Spanish, Mexican, and Western influences.
58. The state native shrub is the Texas Purple Sage.
59. The state dance is the Square Dance.
60. Texas has the largest herd of white-tailed deer in the country.
61. The state boat is the Paddlewheel Boat.
62. The state pepper is the Jalapeño.
63. The Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of the most visited museums in the U.S.
64. Texas is famous for its wide open spaces and vast landscapes.
65. The state pepper is the Chili Pepper.
66. The state wild animal is the Nine-banded Armadillo.
67. Texas is home to the famous Dallas Cowboys football team.
68. The state dish is Queso.
69. The state fruit is the Texas Red Grapefruit.
70. Texas is known for its high school football culture.
71. The state crustacean is the Gulf Shrimp.
72. The state large mammal is the Mexican Free-Tailed Bat.
73. Texas has its own unique flag that was once the flag of an independent country.
74. The state grain is the Corn.
75. The state small mammal is the Armadillo.
76. Texas is home to the San Antonio Spurs basketball team.
77. The state vehicle is the Chuckwagon.
78. The state shell is the Texas Horned Lizard.
79. The state ship is the Battleship Texas.
80. Texas has some of the best rodeos in the world.
81. The state bird is the Northern Mockingbird.
82. The state aircraft is the Monarch Butterfly.
83. Texas has its own slang and unique phrases.
84. The state cowboy hat is the Boss of the Plains Hat.
85. The state bread is the Pan de Campo.
86. Texas is known for its rich history of oil drilling.
87. The state shoes are the Cowboy Boots.
88. The state cacti are the Prickly Pear Cactus and the Texas Prickly Pear Cactus.
89. Texas is home to the famous South by Southwest (SXSW) festival.
90. The state fish is the Guadalupe Bass.
91. The state musical instrument is the Guitar.
92. Texas is famous for its delicious Tex-Mex cuisine.
93. The state amphibian is the Texas Toad.
94. The state pie is Pecan Pie.
95. Texas is home to diverse wildlife, including deer, armadillos, and more.
96. The state water mammal is the Bottlenose Dolphin.
97. Texas has a rich cowboy and ranching history.
98. The state aircraft is the Wright Model B Flyer.

State Reptile of Texas

Threatened species, Horned Lizard, is the state reptile of Texas. The appearance of this Horny Toad is frightening. But it is docile and gentle in nature. Its color blends with that of the ground. Therefore, when threatened, it has a unique way of trying to protect itself. It flattens and freezes in a particular place.

People of Texas

The people of Texas call themselves, Texans. Several flags of the early Republic of Texas had a single star. The USA Flag is the star-studded one. There are two schools of thought regarding this Texas star. Some say it indicated the wish of the Texans to merge with the United States, to get statehood. Others say the star represents the willpower of the Texans to assert their rights under the Mexican Constitution of 1824. The lone star has several battle successes and defeats to its credit.

The history of the word ‘Texan’ is as interesting as the history of Texas itself. The word is spelled and pronounced as ‘Texian’ in English and ‘Texienne’ in French. In common parlance, the word Texan is used. But the Texan Almanac used the word Texan as late as 1868.

So, the present evolution of the State, lying between the Western and Southern Regions of the United States of America, is full of vicissitudes. It shares the cultural aspects of many countries that ruled and dominated over it, once upon a time. It is part of the Southwest and from the geographical point of view, lies on the American Great Plain. Its area is 268,581 sq. miles. Its size is second only to Alaska and in population, next to California.

Till 1836, Texas was a part of Mexico. It declared independence in the same year. It remained an independent republic for about 10 years. The confusion continued when it joined the USA in the year 1845 as the 28th State. In 1861, it seceded to join the Confederate States of America. It was admitted finally to the Union in the year 1870.

Texas boasts of six flags, thereby meaning that six countries have ruled over it, and was the source of many more wars and conflicts to gain superiority and territorial gains, among themselves. Stability arrived in Texas, after its final merger with the United States.

Native American tribes, which once lived inside the boundaries of present-day Texas, include Apache, Atakapan, Bidai, Caddo, Comanche, Cherokee, Kiowa, Tonkawa, Wichita, and Karankawa of Galveston. Currently, there are three federally recognized Native American tribes that reside in Texas: the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas, and the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo of Texas.

The origin and development of Texas are both fascinating and adventurous!

Culture And Facts Of Texas

Texas is also known as the ‘Lone Star’ State. It achieved its independence from Mexico in 1836. It is the 28th State to join the Union of USA, in the year 1845. It is a Spanish name, from an Indian word, meaning ‘friends’ or ‘allies’. It is the second-largest state in the Union. It has passed through a turbulent history, but now it is one of the top oil-producing states and an important center for trade, commerce, and industry. Its main flower is Bluebonnet.

While Austin is the capital of Texas, Dallas is one of the important cities. The present constitution of the state was adopted in the year 1876. Its motto is friendship; its bird is, Mockingbird; its tree, Pecan; and the national song is, ‘Texas, Our Texas’.

The population of the State of Texas, according to the Jan 2021 census, was 29,530,000. The majority of them are from the Anglo ethnicity (53 %). The rest of the population consists of Hispanic, black, and others. The ten major cities of Texas are- Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, El Paso, Arlington, Corpus, Plano, and Garland. The total population of these major cities is approx. 50,000 or more.

The total area of Texas is 2,68,581 sq. miles. The highest point in the state is Guadalupe Peak (8,749 ft.) in Gulbersion County. The Lowest Point at sea level is the Gulf of Mexico.

The most visited destination in Texas is Dallas. It consists of a big wholesale market by world standards. It is one of the top Conventional Centers in the USA. Due to this very reason, Dallas has about 60,000 hotel rooms. The two important airports of Dallas are DFW International and Love Field.

Fair Park is the largest cultural center in Dallas. It is a historical landmark as well. It was built in the year 1880, in an area of roughly 300 acres. There are also many museums, amphitheaters, and music halls in this area.

Texas has a fascinating and turbulent history of 10,000 years. Buildings and artifacts, which are rare examples of the cultural heritage of Texas, are properly maintained and looked after. With the urban sprawl of the country, looking after tangible assets is a difficult task. Experiencing the beauty of such historical buildings, districts, and landscapes give us a first-hand account of the minority groups of Texas, such as Mexican Americans, Native Americans, and African Americans.

These artifacts throw light on the life and living of the early Texans. Some of the interesting revelations are: the earliest hunters of Texas used spears. The bow and arrows came into the picture just 1500 years ago. The Spaniards introduced the horse to American Indians, about 500 years ago. The language that they spoke was related to the Indian language of the Caribbean region.

Unfortunately, about 90 % of the ancient history sites in many areas of Texas have been destroyed or damaged!

Six countries ruled Texas before it was finally merged with the Union of States to become an integral part of the USA. The mixed population of the State makes it one of the unique places to travel and understand its unique diversity.