The Great State of Texas
"You can insult my momma, you can even insult my horse, but don't insult the great state of Texas!" - unknown
Texas lies within the regions of three North American civilizations which had reached their developmental peak before to the arrival of the Europeans. The history of Texas as part of the United States would begin in 1845. Its history has been shaped by six countries, namely, Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and the United States of America. After a decade as an independent country, Texas joined the the United States in 1845. The name Texas derives from táysha, a word in the Caddoan language of the Hasinai, which means "friends" or "allies". I thought that was interesting, never knew that!
"Texas is neither southern nor western. Texas is Texas" - Senator William Blakley
The Spanish introduced European livestock, including cattle, horses, and mules, to Texas as early as the 1690s.
General Santa Anna's entire force of 1,600 men was killed or captured by Texas General Sam Houston's army of 800 Texans; only nine Texans died. This decisive battle resulted in Texas's independence from Mexico. The first declaration of independence for modern Texas, was signed in Goliad on December 20, 1835.
Sam Houston, a native of Virginia, was President of the Republic of Texas for two separate terms, 1836–1838 and 1841–1844. He also was Governor of the state of Texas from 1859 to 1861.
Texas Oil The East Texas Oil Field, discovered on October 5, 1930 is located in east central part of the state, and is the largest and most prolific oil reservoir in the contiguous United States. Other oil fields were later discovered in West Texas and under the Gulf of Mexico. The Oil Boom permanently transformed the economy of Texas, and led to the first significant economic expansion after the Civil War.
What about the horses, and the cowboys, and the cattle ranches, you know the whole John Wayne thing? Ok, that's for another article! There is so much history here with the Alamo and all, it would take forever to write and others have and have done a gret job, just take some time to research it!