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Texans and Their Six Flags

For those of us born and raised in Texas, we’ve heard the term Six Flags of Texas more than once. And no, I’m  not referring to the amusement park. What I’m blogging about today are the nations that had a claim on or staked a presence in the state of Texas. It’s this blend of cultures passed through many generations, that make Texans so uniquely us.

SPAIN 1519-1685

Alonso Alvarez de Pineda mapped the Gulf Coast from Florida to Ucatan, claiming land for the government of Spain. Spanish missions, settlements, and forts gradually expanded from Mexico for near a century and a-half. The red-and-yellow-striped Spanish flag depicts a castle of Castile and a lion of Leon on a shield topped by a crown.

FRANCE 1685-1690

With the nearest Spanish settlement over 100 miles away, France boldly planted its flag in east Texas near the Gulf Coast. The doomed settlement was abandoned due to shipwrecks, hunger, disease and hostile Indians. The French royal ensign for ships and forts features a golden fleurs-de-lis on white background.

spanish_flag

 

SPAIN 1690-1821

With a renewed awareness of other European powers and their colonization efforts, the Spanish built an East Texas Mission, San Francisco de los Tejas, near present day Weches.

MEXICO 1821-1836

Mexico declared its independence from Spain in 1821, and for more than a decade pioneers flowed into frontier Texas. Anglo settlers from the north became Mexican citizens. Stephen F. Austin traveled to Mexico City to petition for civil rights, but was imprisoned for nearly two years instead. General Santa Anna declared himself dictator. The first shots of the Texas Revolution were fired September 1, 1835 in the water near the mouth of the Brazos river when an armed schooner engaged a Mexican cutter. The flag of Mexico depicts an eagle, a snake, and a cactus on bars of green, white and red.

republic_of_texas_flag

The first flag of the Republic of Texas, 1836 to 1839, until it was replaced with the current Lone Star flag.

THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS 1836-1845

Texas independence was officially recognized by the United States in 1837, by France in 1839, and by England and the Netherlands in 1840. The Republic of Texas was an independent, sovereign nation, but most of its citizens favored statehood. The Texas state flag is red, white and blue with a lone star, and the same as adopted in 1839.

Blue for loyalty. White for purity. Red for bravery. A single lone star represents unity for ALL of Texas;

Blue for loyalty. White for purity. Red for bravery. A single lone star represents ALL of Texas.

TEXAS, the 28th STATE 1845-1861

On December 29, 1845, Texas was admitted into the United States of America. The Stars and Stripes had 28 stars.

TEXAS IN THE CONFEDERACY 1861-1865

General Sam Houston urged Texans to establish a neutral republic, but was driven from office. One month after Robert E. Lee officially surrendered, the last battle of the Civil War was fought in Texas near present day Brownsville. The first national flag of the Confederate States of America is known as the Stars and Bars. The Confederate battle flag is known as the Southern Cross or Starry Cross.

TEXAS IN THE UNITED STATES 1865-Present

After the war, Texas was home for herds of wild, hardy Longhorn cattle. The legendary trail drive period provided much needed beef to the northern markets and brought cash to the devastated state helping with recovery after the war. Texans have always been bold, extremely self-sufficient, and as some might say, arrogant. It’s that can-do attitude, passed down through generations, and the six flags of our past that permeates our diverse culture still today.

 All political power is inherent in the people … they have at all times the inalienable right to alter their government in such manner as they might think proper.” Texas Constitution.

Natalie Cline Bright is a blogger and author of the fun, historical western TROUBLE IN TEXAS series for middle grades, the RESCUE ANIMAL eBook series, and is currently working on an action-packed novel for young adults, WOLF’S WAR. Read about Natalie’s grandmother and her cherry salad recipe, recently selected for “THE WESTERN WRITERS OF AMERICA COOKBOOK: Favorite Recipes, Cooking Tips, and Writing Wisdom” (TwoDot Publishing, June 2017).