Texas (U.S. state)

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Revision as of 21:02, 18 April 2007 by imported>Matt Mahlmann (added govt info)
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Texas was the 28th State to join the United States of America on December 29, 1845. Its current government is a bicameral legislature with its capital located in Austin. The state motto is Friendship and its nickname is the Lone Star state. Houston is the largest city in Texas.[1]


History

The history of Texas can be divided into its ancient history and the time it has spent ruled under each of the "six flags over Texas". The six countries that have ruled Texas are Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and the United States of America.[2]

Ancient History

Spain

1716-1821

France

Mexico

Republic of Texas

March 2, 1836 - December 29, 1845

A group of Texians gathered at Washington-on-the-Brazos to sign The Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. Four days later the Alamo fell after a 13 day siege by Mexican troops led by Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna. This defeat led to the famous rallying call "Remember the Alamo". Santa Anna's Mexican troops were defeated on April 21 at the Battle of San Jacinto near present-day Houston.[3]

Confederate States of America

March 2, 1861-March 15, 1866

United States of America

December 29, 1845-March 2, 1861 and March 15, 1866-present

Demographics

Education

The University of Texas System is one of the largest higher education systems in the nation. The University of Texas at Austin is the largest institution in the UT System. [4]

Government

The current Governor of Texas is Republican Rick Perry. Perry was Lieutenant Governor in 2000 when George W. Bush resigned as Governor to become the 43rd President of the United States of America.

References

Citations