Texas was once its own country.

• From 1836 to 1845, Texas existed as the Republic of Texas before joining the United States as the 28th state.
  

Six nations have ruled over Texas.

• Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederacy, and the United States have all flown their flags over Texas.
  

The name “Texas” means “friends.”

• It comes from the Caddo word tejas, a nod to the Indigenous heritage of the region.
  

King Ranch is bigger than Rhode Island.

• The famous ranch in South Texas covers more land than an entire U.S. state!
  

The Texas oil boom started with a geyser.

• In 1901, the Spindletop gusher near Beaumont struck oil and launched the modern petroleum industry.
  

Bluebonnets and mockingbirds are official state symbols.

• Texas celebrates the bluebonnet as its state flower and the mockingbird as its state bird.
  

Texas is a dinosaur hotspot.

• More than 90 dinosaur species have been discovered in Texas, and you can even walk among fossilized footprints at Dinosaur Valley State Park.
  

Texas entered the U.S. by treaty.

• Unlike most states, Texas joined the United States through a treaty of annexation, not as a U.S. territory.
  

The Alamo remains a global symbol of independence.

• The 1836 battle is remembered worldwide for bravery against overwhelming odds.
  

Texas does everything big.

• From cattle drives and BBQ to rodeos and football, Texas culture thrives on living large. With over 268,000 square miles, Texas boasts deserts, prairies, pine forests, canyons, rivers, and 600 miles of Gulf Coast shoreline.
  

Texas is rich in wildlife.

• From whitetail deer and armadillos to wild hogs, migratory birds, and even mountain lions, Texas is one of the most ecologically diverse states.

• Humans have lived in what is now Texas for thousands of years — archaeological evidence suggests people were present over 16,000 years ago in Central Texas.
  
• Before European arrival, several Indigenous nations thrived here:
  
  - The Caddo in East Texas were known for their farming of corn, beans, sunflowers, and pottery.
  
  - Along the Gulf Coast lived tribes like the Karankawa, skilled in fishing and canoe-making.
  
  - On the plains and in western Texas, Comanche, Apache, Lipan, and other nations established reputations as fierce warriors, horsemen, and cultural stewards.
  
  
• The name “Texas” itself comes from the Caddo word tejas, meaning “friends” or “allies.”

• Spanish expeditions arrived in the 16th century, and over time missions, presidios, and settlements were established under Spanish rule.
  
• In 1821, Mexico gained independence from Spain, and Texas became part of the new nation of Mexico.
  
• Anglo-American settlers, under land grants from Mexico, began arriving, particularly under leaders like Stephen F. Austin.
  
• Rising tensions over immigration, slavery, and local governance eventually fueled independence movements.

• On March 2, 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico, forming the Republic of Texas.
  
• The Battle of the Alamo (February–March 1836) became a legendary stand, immortalized with the cry “Remember the Alamo!”
  
• Just over a month later, on April 21, 1836, Texas forces under Sam Houston defeated General Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto, effectively securing Texas independence.
  
• The Republic of Texas stood as an independent nation until December 29, 1845, when it joined the United States as the 28th state. 

• Unlike most U.S. states, Texas was admitted by treaty rather than by territorial expansion.
  
• Texas seceded from the Union during the Civil War and joined the Confederacy, then was readmitted to the Union in 1870.
  
• Throughout the 19th century, conflicts between settlers and Indigenous nations—especially in West and North Texas—were common in what is known as the Texas–Indian Wars.
  
• As settlers spread, Texas became a crucible of cattle ranching, ranch drives, and frontier culture—a heritage that remains central to Texas’s identity today.

• Railroads expanded in the late 1800s, opening interior Texas to trade, settlement, and growth.

• In 1901, the Spindletop gusher near Beaumont marked the start of the modern Texas oil boom. That discovery ushered in decades of economic transformation and industrial growth across the state.

• Today, Texas is the largest oil-producing U.S. state and a powerhouse in energy, agriculture, technology, and urban development. 

• If Texas were its own country today, it would rank among the 10 largest economies in the world, driven by energy, agriculture, tech, and trade.

• Texas leads the nation in cattle, cotton, hay, and sheep production — making ranching and farming cornerstones of its identity.

• Nicknamed the “Lone Star State,” Texas uses a single star on its flag to symbolize its independent spirit.
  
• Over its history, six national flags have flown over Texas: Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederacy, and the United States.
  
• The state flower is the bluebonnet, and the state bird is the mockingbird.
  
• Texas is known for doing things big: the King Ranch is larger than the state of Rhode Island.
  
• There are over 90 dinosaur species discovered in Texas; the state is a rich fossil ground, including in Big Bend and Dinosaur Valley State Park.
  
  

Today, Texas is a vibrant blend of tradition and modern life. Cowboy culture, ranching, and rodeo sit alongside world-class cities, live music, and booming industries in technology, energy, and space exploration. With nearly 30 million residents, Texas is the second-most populous state and continues to grow rapidly. Its legendary food scene — from smoky barbecue to Tex-Mex specialties — reflects a rich mix of cultural influences. Across the state, the independent spirit, wide-open landscapes, and dynamic cities make Texas a place where history and innovation coexist.