Six flags over Texas
Encyclopedia
Six Flags Over Texas is the slogan
used to describe the six nations that have had sovereignty over some or all of the current territory of the U.S. state
of Texas
. This slogan has been incorporated into shopping malls, theme parks (Six Flags
), and other enterprises. The "six flags" are also shown on the reverse of the Seal of Texas
.
In 1997 the Texas Historical Commission adopted standard designs for representing the six flags.
belonged to Spain
, which ruled most of Texas from 1519 to 1685 and from 1690 to 1821. There were two versions of the Spanish flag
used during this period. Both designs incorporate the "castle and lion" emblems of the Crown of Castile
. The Spanish flag used in the reverse of the Texas state seal, which was also adopted by the Texas State Historical Commission, is the flag adopted by King Charles III
, containing horizontal stripes of red-gold-red and the simple arms of Castile and Leon. This flag was used by Spain from 1793 to 1931, and from 1936 till today again with a different coat of arms.
from 1685 to 1690. In 1684, French nobleman Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle
founded a colony on the Texas Gulf Coast called Fort Saint Louis. The colony was unsuccessful, and after La Salle's murder, was soon abandoned. During this time, there was no official French flag
, so a number of different designs are used in displays of the "six flags".
. Mexico
's independence was recognized by Spain in 1821. The Mexican flag displayed in the Austin Capitol is the one of the Mexican Republic of 1823 through 1864.
This flag was in use in Texas until its independence from Mexico in 1836 (Texas's declaration of independence
).
from 1836 to 1845. The Republic had two national flags during its history, the first being the so-called "Burnet Flag". The "Lone Star Flag
", the final national flag
, became the state flag when Texas joined the United States as a U.S. state
in 1845.
, which Texas joined in 1845. Upon secession
Texas abandoned this flag for its sixth, until readmission to the Union in 1865.
from 1861 to 1865. During this time, the Confederacy had three national flags
.
Slogan
A slogan is a memorable motto or phrase used in a political, commercial, religious and other context as a repetitive expression of an idea or purpose. The word slogan is derived from slogorn which was an Anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic sluagh-ghairm . Slogans vary from the written and the...
used to describe the six nations that have had sovereignty over some or all of the current territory of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. This slogan has been incorporated into shopping malls, theme parks (Six Flags
Six Flags
Six Flags Entertainment Corp. is the world's largest amusement park corporation based on quantity of properties and the fifth most popular in terms of attendance. The company maintains 14 properties located throughout North America, including theme parks, thrill parks, water parks and family...
), and other enterprises. The "six flags" are also shown on the reverse of the Seal of Texas
Seal of Texas
The Seal of the State of Texas was adopted through the 1845 Texas Constitution, and was based on the seal of the Republic of Texas, which dates from January 25, 1839.-Design:...
.
In 1997 the Texas Historical Commission adopted standard designs for representing the six flags.
Spain
The first flagFlag
A flag is a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is usually rectangular and used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium.The first flags were used to assist...
belonged to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, which ruled most of Texas from 1519 to 1685 and from 1690 to 1821. There were two versions of the Spanish flag
Flag of Spain
The flag of Spain , as it is defined in the Spanish Constitution of 1978, consists of three horizontal stripes: red, yellow and red, the yellow stripe being twice the size of each red stripe...
used during this period. Both designs incorporate the "castle and lion" emblems of the Crown of Castile
Crown of Castile
The Crown of Castile was a medieval and modern state in the Iberian Peninsula that formed in 1230 as a result of the third and definitive union of the crowns and parliaments of the kingdoms of Castile and León upon the accession of the then King Ferdinand III of Castile to the vacant Leonese throne...
. The Spanish flag used in the reverse of the Texas state seal, which was also adopted by the Texas State Historical Commission, is the flag adopted by King Charles III
Charles III of Spain
Charles III was the King of Spain and the Spanish Indies from 1759 to 1788. He was the eldest son of Philip V of Spain and his second wife, the Princess Elisabeth Farnese...
, containing horizontal stripes of red-gold-red and the simple arms of Castile and Leon. This flag was used by Spain from 1793 to 1931, and from 1936 till today again with a different coat of arms.
France
The second flag was the royal banner of FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
from 1685 to 1690. In 1684, French nobleman Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, or Robert de LaSalle was a French explorer. He explored the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada, the Mississippi River, and the Gulf of Mexico...
founded a colony on the Texas Gulf Coast called Fort Saint Louis. The colony was unsuccessful, and after La Salle's murder, was soon abandoned. During this time, there was no official French flag
Flag of France
The national flag of France is a tricolour featuring three vertical bands coloured royal blue , white, and red...
, so a number of different designs are used in displays of the "six flags".
Mexico
The third flag flown (1821 through 1836) was the flag of MexicoFlag of Mexico
The flag of Mexico is a vertical tricolor of green, white, and red with the national coat of arms charged in the center of the white stripe. While the meaning of the colors has changed over time, these three colors were adopted by Mexico following independence from Spain during the country's War...
. Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
's independence was recognized by Spain in 1821. The Mexican flag displayed in the Austin Capitol is the one of the Mexican Republic of 1823 through 1864.
This flag was in use in Texas until its independence from Mexico in 1836 (Texas's declaration of independence
Texas Declaration of Independence
The Texas Declaration of Independence was the formal declaration of independence of the Republic of Texas from Mexico in the Texas Revolution. It was adopted at the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 2, 1836, and formally signed the following day after errors were noted in the...
).
Republic of Texas
The fourth flag belonged to the Republic of TexasRepublic of Texas
The Republic of Texas was an independent nation in North America, bordering the United States and Mexico, that existed from 1836 to 1846.Formed as a break-away republic from Mexico by the Texas Revolution, the state claimed borders that encompassed an area that included all of the present U.S...
from 1836 to 1845. The Republic had two national flags during its history, the first being the so-called "Burnet Flag". The "Lone Star Flag
Flag of Texas
The Flag of the State of Texas is defined by law as follows:The Texas flag is known as the "Lone Star Flag" . This flag was introduced to the Congress of the Republic of Texas on December 28, 1838, by Senator William H. Wharton...
", the final national flag
National flag
A national flag is a flag that symbolizes a country. The flag is flown by the government, but usually can also be flown by citizens of the country.Both public and private buildings such as schools and courthouses may fly the national flag...
, became the state flag when Texas joined the United States as a U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
in 1845.
United States of America
The fifth and current flag is that of the United States of AmericaUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, which Texas joined in 1845. Upon secession
Ordinance of Secession
The Ordinance of Secession was the document drafted and ratified in 1860 and 1861 by the states officially seceding from the United States of America...
Texas abandoned this flag for its sixth, until readmission to the Union in 1865.
Confederate States of America
The sixth flag belonged to the Confederate States of AmericaConfederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
from 1861 to 1865. During this time, the Confederacy had three national flags
Flags of the Confederate States of America
There were only three flag designs adopted, with later, minor variants made to those designs, that served as the official national flags of the Confederate States of America and used during its existence from 1861 to 1865...
.
See also
- History of TexasHistory of TexasEuropean conquistadors first arrived in the region now known as Texas in 1519, finding the region populated by various Native American tribes...
- Flag of the Republic of the Rio GrandeFlag of the Republic of the Rio GrandeThe Flag of the Republic of the Rio Grande was used in 1840, during 283 days from January 17 to November 6, as long as the republic existed. This country was formed by the northeastern Mexican states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas....
- Burnet Flag
External links
- Texas Almanac
- The Portal to Texas History
- Reverse of Texas State Seal
- Six Flags of Texas
- Texas State Preservation Board
- Texas Register (scroll down page to "Six Flags Over Texas" information on pages 5959–5967)
- The Republic of the Rio Grande Museum
- Mexico – Filibustering: Republic of the Rio Grande
- Origin of the Lone Star Flag of Texas