From Cowboys to NASA: 10 Fascinating Facts About Texas

Texans are proud of their state, and for good reason! It’s full of exciting history from cowboys to oil booms, there’s so much stuff that makes Texas, well…TEXAS Y’ALL!

Here’s 10 fun facts show some of the most interesting parts of Texas history. Let’s explore what makes the Lone Star State one of a kind!

1. Texas Was Once Its Own Country
- Before joining the United States, Texas was an independent nation known as the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1845. Texans even elected their own president!

2. The Battle of the Alamo
- In 1836, a small group of Texans bravely held the Alamo mission against the much larger Mexican army. Although they lost, their sacrifice became a rallying cry: “Remember the Alamo!”

3. Six Flags Over Texas
- Texas has been governed by six different countries: Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States, and the United States. This history inspired the name of the “Six Flags” theme parks.

4. Oil Transformed Texas
- The discovery of oil at Spindletop in 1901 sparked a huge boom that turned Texas into one of the most powerful oil producers in the world, changing its economy forever.

5. Texas Is the Birthplace of Dr Pepper
- Dr Pepper was created in Waco, Texas, in 1885, making it the oldest major soft drink in the U.S. Texans take pride in being home to this fizzy favorite.

6. Cowboys and Cattle Drives
- In the 1800s, Texas became famous for its cowboys and cattle drives. Cowboys would herd cattle across hundreds of miles to railroads, creating a culture that still thrives today.

7. NASA’s Mission Control is in Houston
- The famous phrase “Houston, we have a problem” comes from the fact that NASA’s Mission Control is located in Houston. Texas plays a major role in the U.S. space program.

8. Texas Has Its Own Pledge of Allegiance
- Texans can recite not only the U.S. pledge but also one for their state, which begins, “Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible.”

9. Juneteenth Started in Texas
- On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston to announce the end of slavery, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth began in Texas and is now a national holiday.

10. Texas Loves Its Independence Day
- Texans celebrate March 2, Texas Independence Day, marking the day in 1836 when Texas declared independence from Mexico. It’s a day of pride and celebration across the state.