Texas Set to Fete Birth of Republic - Happy Birthday Texas!

March 2, 2011


"DALLAS—Texans are loading their cannons, six-shooters and flintlock rifles to celebrate their declaration of independence from Mexico 175 years ago.Events are under way to commemorate the revolution that led to the Republic of Texas. The sovereign nation lasted just a decade before it joined the United States, but it continues to loom large in the mythology of the Lone Star State. About 200 defenders fighting for Texas independence and 600 Mexican soldiers perished at the Alamo in 1836. Above, a 2009 commemoration ."If Texans hadn't gotten free from Mexico, then probably the whole western half of the country wouldn't have been the U.S.," said Chuck Dawson, whose Cowtown Opry historical-music group in Fort Worth plans a two-stepping celebration ball."

Source: online.wsj.com...

And more from another article here:

"Texas Independence Day: Lone Star State turns 175
Texas celebrates signing of declaration of independence from Mexico"

Source: www.cbsnews.com...

" CBS News) The nation's second biggest state is celebrating a birthday. Today is Texas Independence Day, commemorating the day, 175 years ago, that settlers in the territory of Texas signed a document declaring independence from Mexico and creating the Republic of Texas.

In 1836, Texans were already in rebellion against Mexican rule. A group of delegates gathered in the town of Washington to make official their separation from Mexico. The members of the convention signed a hand-written document declaring the creation of the short-lived Republic of Texas. The original document still survives and is currently on display in Austin, the state capitol. "

So to my fellow Texans both within the state, and those living in other parts of the world, I say "Happy Birthday...Y'all"

But wasn't Texas Mexican territory to begin with?

Didn't the U.S-Mexican War result in Mexico having a large amount of it's territory stolen?

reply to post by manta78


the stars are bright....each and every night .......deep in the heart of texas !!

Originally posted by Kram09
But wasn't Texas Mexican territory to begin with?

Didn't the U.S-Mexican War result in Mexico having a large amount of it's territory stolen?

Here are the answers to your questions:

"The Texas Revolution or Texas War of Independence was a military conflict between Mexico and settlers in the Texas portion of the Mexican state Coahuila y Tejas. The war lasted from October 2, 1835 to April 21, 1836. However, a war at sea between Mexico and Texas would continue into the 1840s. Animosity between the Mexican government and the American settlers in Texas (who were called Texians), as well as many Texas residents of Mexican ancestry, began with the Siete Leyes of 1835, when Mexican President and General Antonio López de Santa Anna abolished the federal Constitution of 1824 and proclaimed the more centralizing 1835 constitution in its place.

The new laws were unpopular throughout Mexico, leading to violence in several states. War began in Texas on October 2, 1835, with the Battle of Gonzales. Early Texian Army successes at La Bahia and San Antonio were soon met with crushing defeat at the same locations a few months later. The war ended at the Battle of San Jacinto where General Sam Houston led the Texian Army to victory over a portion of the Mexican Army under Santa Anna, who was captured shortly after the battle. The conclusion of the war resulted in the creation of the Republic of Texas in 1836."

Source: en.wikipedia.org...

and:

"The Mexican–American War was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 in the wake of the 1845 U.S. annexation of Texas, which Mexico considered part of its territory despite the 1836 Texas Revolution.

In addition to a naval blockade off the Mexican coast, American forces invaded and conquered New Mexico, California, and parts of what is currently northern Mexico. Another American army captured Mexico City, forcing Mexico to agree to the sale of its northern territories to the U.S.

Territorial expansion of the United States to the Pacific coast was the goal of President James K. Polk, the leader of the Democratic Party.[1] However, the war was highly controversial in the U.S., with the Whig Party and anti-slavery elements strongly opposed. Heavy American casualties and high monetary cost were also criticized. The major consequence of the war was the forced Mexican Cession of the territories of Alta California and New Mexico to the United States in exchange for $18 million. Mexico accepted the Rio Grande as its national border, and the loss of Texas. Meanwhile gold was discovered in California, which immediately became an international magnet for the California Gold Rush."

Source: en.wikipedia.org...

So my valid question gets ignored, but all the back-slapping Americans get stars?

Interesting.

Ignore my previous comment....I'm in a weird mood.

I'm going to try and find some books on this subject.

Originally posted by Kram09
But wasn't Texas Mexican territory to begin with?

Didn't the U.S-Mexican War result in Mexico having a large amount of it's territory stolen?

Yes and No. Texas was a part of Mexico, until the people in Texas rebelled, forming an indpendant Republic of Texas. It eventually became part of the US.

Its the only State in the Union who can fly their state flag at the same height as the US Flag (ive seen both arguments)

Its the only state in the Union who can divide themselves up into 5 smaller states without Congressional approval.

Fun facts about Texas - Snopes.com

Happy Birthday Texas!


Facts

Fun Facts:
* - The King Ranch in Texas is bigger than the state of Rhode Island.
* - Texas is the only state to have the flags of 6 different nations fly over it. They are: Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederate States, and the United States.

* - The state was an independent nation from 1836 to 1845.
* - El Paso is closer to Needles, California than it is to Dallas.
* - Texas is the only state to enter the United States by treaty instead of territorial annexation

reply to post by Xcathdra


Thanks for posting those "fun facts" about Texas.

Originally posted by Kram09
But wasn't Texas Mexican territory to begin with?

Didn't the U.S-Mexican War result in Mexico having a large amount of it's territory stolen?

Yes and No, and it will depend on which side of history you are on. Texas declared its independance from Mexico and was a sovereign nation prior to becoming a US possession by treaty. The issue revolves around that admittance into the US.

Mexico lost, according to Texans , the war against Texas when it declared independance. When Texas was admitted into the US, Mexico still considered part of their country, and the Mexican-American war followed.

While I always find the term of stolen land humerous, it was anything but.

To me its like the people who complain about the US using nuclear weapons on Japan (and no, I dont agree with using nukes on countries, but I will reference history here). People complain about the outcome, but always seem to ignore how it started.

If you are going to pick a fight with anohter country, you better be prepared to follow through with it. If not, and you lose territory, then maybe they should not have gotten out of bed that morning.

According to Mexico, we stole the land, although they signed the treaty to end the war.
According to the US, we won the war, and that was the result.
According to Texas, dont mess with them.

cool, from another view...the native americans made life bad till the 1850's new invention...a six shooter...at enchanted rock, near austin... a ranger was pinned down and fired a shot at his chasers...they were used to rushing in after the one shot to overtake the shooter while he was reloading....but he knocked down 11 of them and rode away unhurt....later, 6 rangers defeated 100 attackers and didn't suffer an injury....
btw, what day of the month is the official day?....no one has posted it?

reply to post by GBP/JPY


Sounds like the same reason Napoleon was not fond of Waterloo

Originally posted by manta78
reply to post by Xcathdra

 

Thanks for posting those "fun facts" about Texas.

I can find some more that might actually be "fun".. I am a greogrpahy and history buff, so fun to me is not to others lol.

Originally posted by GBP/JPY

btw, what day of the month is the official day?....no one has posted it?

The official day was yesterday.....

God Bless the Republic of Texas, Happy Birthday.

How on God's green Earth they figured out how to keep allllll those food places open...and how on God's green Earth they can offer Texas sized meals that could feed +4 people...for only a couple bucks...is beyond me.

Could have only of been done in Texas. I still don't know how they do it.

I bet we all wish they never joined the US. We would all have a place to go when we were sick if it all.