It is a well-known fact that our Lone Star State has the distinction of having been under six flags. This month of March, which could be called Texas History Month, is an appropriate time to review our past by focusing on these flags.
Before beginning to do that, it would be negligent not to recognize those people who lived here before the first of the different standards flew. They are the indigenous peoples of the United States, commonly known as Native Americans. Their ancestors had inhabited this land for more than 10,000 years by the time the first Spanish conquistadors arrived here in 1519. Many different Native American groups made their lives in the woods, plains, and coastal areas of Texas, but none of them had flags.
The Kingdom of Spain, 1519-1821 – In 1519 Spain flew the first flag over Texas as it began its conquest of a huge portion of the United States, with Texas at its westernmost point. The area in Texas was largely ignored by Spain until France arrived to challenge the Spanish claim. During the height of Spanish occupation only about 5,000 Spaniards lived in Texas. Despite that, Spain left a lasting legacy that is still noticeable today. The Spaniards brought numerous European crops to this area and gave birth to ranching by introducing their horses and cattle.
Though Spain flew a number of different flags during its conquest, the one most recognized today has two lions and two castles on a red and white background.
The Kingdom of France, 1685-1690 – In 1685, in spite of Spanish ownership, the Kingdom of France under Louis XIV sent the explorer La Salle to this area, establishing a colony that lasted a very brief time. His small French colony faced numerous difficulties, including Native American raids, epidemics, and harsh living conditions. In 1686 when Spain learned of La Salle's mission, it became concerned that the French colony would threaten its control; consequently, the king funded multiple expeditions to locate and eliminate the French settlement. Four Spanish expeditions the following year failed to find La Salle. France finally abandoned its claims to Texas in November of 1762 when it ceded all of its territory west of the Mississippi River to Spain.
The flag most likely carried by La Salle during his expedition along the Texas coast had a white background covered by fleur-de-lis, a simplified version of the French royal flag at that time.
The Mexican Federal Republic, 1821-1836 – With Mexico gaining its independence from Spain in 1821, the Mexican flag became the third flag to fly over Texas, establishing the era of Texas history that we know so well, from the Alamo to San Jacinto. Like Spain, Mexico also left a lasting heritage in our state.
The flag of Mexico illustrated an ancient legend in which the Aztecs were told by their gods to build a city in a place where they would find an eagle on a cactus eating a serpent.
The Republic of Texas 1836-1861 – Following the world-famous events at the Battle of San Jacinto, Texas established its own republic. At the Convention of 1836, Texans signed a declaration of independence from Mexico and formed their own government, electing Sam Houston as the first governor.
Before the end that year, our new government adopted a flag which we would not recognize today, called “the Burnet flag”. That flag had a blue background with a large gold star in the center. In 1839, the Texas Legislature abandoned that flag and adopted the flag we know and love today. It decreed that the flag should consist of “a blue perpendicular stripe of the width of one-third of the whole length of the flag and a white star of five points in the center and two horizontal stripes of equal length and breadth, the upper stripe of white and the low of red, of the length of two-thirds of the length of the whole flag”. Easy enough to recognize?
The Confederate States of America, 1861-1865 – Early in 1861, Texas declared its secession from the United States and joined the Confederacy, largely concerned that newly elected President Lincoln would not allow Texans to keep their slaves. During the brief period when Texas was under the Confederate flag, Texas became known for its contribution to the Confederate mounted cavalry, as by then we had a large ranching economy and a number of skilled horsemen.
The United States of America, 1845-1862 and 1865-present – On December 29, 1845, the Republic of Texas was admitted to the United States. President John Tyler made the annexation of Texas a priority. In the closing days of Tyler’s presidency, Congress voted to make Texas a state, though it was not until James K. Polk became president that Texas formally achieved statehood. Thus, the flag of the United States of America became the sixth flag over Texas.
Each of these six distinctive flags contributed to Texas history in very significant ways - it is worthwhile to remember and celebrate them!
To join in a local salute to Texas and at the same time sing a happy birthday to Sam Houston, make plans to attend the Toast to Texas Independence in Heritage Village at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 2. The Village celebration includes a unique toast with pure East Texas spring water.
