10 Texas Trivia Facts To Celebrate Texas Independence Day
Happy Texas Independence Day, y'all! As if we need an official day to celebrate being Texan, March 2 is on the books. Today marks the celebration of the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence, and Texas' independence from Mexico in 1836.
To celebrate, here are 10 fun trivia facts to impress your friends today.
10. The Republic of Texas had five other capital cities before Austin got the green light.
- That's right, we could have been sitting here with our capital being Washington-on-the-Brazos, Harrisburg, Galveston, Velasco or West Columbia.
9. Austin was formerly known as Waterloo
- It has been suggested that the name derives from the battle where Napoleon was defeated by the English, but there is no evidence to substantiate this.
- It was changed to Austin in honor of Stephen F. Austin, the "Father of Texas" and the republic's first secretary of state.
8. The men defending the Alamo never knew that Texas had declared independence.
- The battle took place from February 23 - March 6, 1836, so it's not sure that word ever reached them that the vote went our way.
7. Only two of the 59 who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, – Jose Francisco Ruiz and Jose Antonio Navarro – were native Texans.
- This is according to the Star of the Republic Museum.
- Texas forever.
6. The oldest tree in Texas is The Big Tree in Rockport,
- It's located in Goose Island State Park, and estimated to be around 1500 years old.
5. The first country music radio broadcast was on Fort Worth's WBAP.
- It first aired in 1923!
4. Long live the state icons!
- Of course, the bluebonnet is the state flower of Texas. The state tree is the Pecan. But did you know we have a state small mammal, large mammal and flying mammal? Say hello to the Armadillo, Longhorn and Mexican free-tailed bat!
3. Texas’ Lone Star flag became the state’s official flag on January 24, 1839.
- There have been six flags that have flown above Texas: Spanish, French, Mexican, Texan, Confederate and American. Bonus fact: 'Six Flags' stands for more than just a theme park!
2. The Texas Flag is not allowed to fly at the same height as the U.S. flag.
- That's an old Texas legend, but not true.
1. Texas is HUGE.
- We know this by looking at our gas mileage just driving to work, but really, Texas is massive.
- You could fit the 10 smallest states inside our borders, with room for an extra New Jersey.