The Six Flags Over Texas

Texas Under Spain

The first flag belonged to Spain, which ruled most of Texas from 1519 to 1685 and from 1690 to 1821. The first explorations into Texas were by the Spanish, the first of which was a map making expedition in 1519 led by Alfonso Alvarez de Pineda and Cabeza de Vaca. Soon after came explorers Francisco Vasquez de Coronado in 1540 and Juan de Onate in 1601. Gradually expanding from Mexico, other Spanish missions, forts and civil settlements followed for nearly a century-and-a-half until Mexico threw off European rule and became independent in 1821.

Texas Under France

The second flag was flown by France. Although claimed by Spain, most of Texas had no Spanish presence at all. In 1684, French nobleman Rene Robert La Salle founded a colony on the Texas Gulf Coast called Fort Saint Louis. He was hoping to start a settlement in the French Louisiana Territory at the mouth of the Mississippi River. But not realizing he was so far off, 150 people landed on the banks of the Garcitas Creek. The effort was doomed by a series of calamities: shipwreck, disease, famine, and hostile Natives. Life was extremely hard and their numbers slowly dwindled to about 40 by 1687. La Salle left for the Great Lakes for French re-enforcements but was killed by his own men on the journey. The few remaining inhabitants of Fort Saint Louis were all killed by Karankawa Indians in 1689. France's bold claim to Texas had merely disappeared .

Texas Under Mexico

The third flag belonged to Mexico. In 1821 Mexico gained independence from Spain and the region of Texas became part of Mexico. Many Americans migrated to Texas because of favorable land grants and lax immigration laws. The population of Texas grew rapidly.By 1834, Texas had grown to approximately 37,800 people, with only 7,800 of Mexican descent. Santa Anna was elected president of Mexico in 1832 and soon after sent troops into Texas to force martial law. The Texans first rebelled at Goliad in 1835. General Sam Houston and his army of Texans faced their final battle with Santa Anna along the banks of Buffalo Bayou. They fought and won independence for Texas at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836.

Texas As a Republic

The fourth flag belonged to the Republic of Texas. During nearly ten years of independence, the Republic of Texas endured epidemics, financial crises and still-volatile clashes with Mexico. Texas joined the United States on December 29, 1845. Because of Texas’ one-time status as an independent country, the Texas flag is the only of the 50 state flags that can be flown at the same height as the U.S. flag.

Texas In the Confederacy

The fifth flag that was flown was "The Stars and Bars" belonging to the Confederacy. Sixteen years after Texas joined the union, the American Civil War erupted. Texas joined the rest of the southern states in seceding from the Union, although urged by Governor Sam Houston to remain neutral, forming the Confederate States of America. That ended after a brutal and bloody Civil War that saw more American deaths than any war before or since with over 600,000 casualties.

Texas In the U.s.

The Republic of Texas, nearly bankrupt and in constant fear of Mexico invasion, formally asked to join the U.S. The U.S. government accepted, assuming all national debt that Texas accrued, in exchange for a vast amount of land that became part of several states, including New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas and Wyoming.

On joining the union, Texas became the 28th star on the U.S. flag. Texas contributed to the U.S. with beef, fertile soil, land for crops, oil, and an ideal climate for research and operations for facilities and programs such as the NASA space center.

sources

• Lone Star Banners And Flags.com
• Ls Junction.com
• Texas Proud.com