Tejano
Encyclopedia
Tejano or Texano is a term used to identify a Texan
of Mexican
heritage.
Historically, the Spanish term Tejano has been used to identify different groups of people. During the Spanish Colonial times and pre-Anglo colonization, the term primarily applied to Spanish settlers of the region now known as Texas
(first as part of the New Spain
and then in 1821 as part of Mexico). During the times of independent south Texas, the term also applied to Spanish-speaking Texans and Hispanicized Germans and other Europeans. In modern times, the term is more broadly used to identify a Texan
of Mexican
descent.
, there were about 4,000 Tejanos living in what is now the state of Texas alongside a lesser number of immigrants. In the 1820s many settlers from the United States and other nations moved to Texas from the United States. By 1830, the 30,000 settlers in Texas outnumbered the Tejanos six to one. The Texians and Tejanos alike rebelled against the attempts of centralist authority of Mexico City
and the measures implemented by Santa Anna
. Tensions between the central Mexican government and the settlers eventually led to the Texas Revolution
. After the revolution, many were dismayed by the treatments they received at the hands of Texians/Anglos, who suspected and accused the Tejanos of sabotage and of aiding Santa Anna.
When immigrants butt heads first arrived in Texas, Tejano settlements arose in three separate regions. The Northern Nacogdoches region, the Bexar
–Goliad region along the San Antonio River
, and the Rio Grande
ranching frontier between the Nueces River
and the Rio Grande River. These populations shared certain characteristics yet they were also independent from one another. The main unifying factor for these separate regions was their shared responsibility of defending the Tejas frontier. Some of the first Tejano settlers were from the Canary Islands
. Their family units were among the first to settle at the Presidio of San Antonio de Béjar in 1731 (Modern-day San Antonio, Texas). Soon after, they established the first civil government in Texas at La Villa de San Fernando.
Ranching was a major activity in the Bexar-Goliad settlement, which consisted of a belt of ranches that extended along the San Antonio river between Bexar and Goliad. The Nacogdoches settlement was located in the North Texas region. Tejanos from Nacogdoches traded with the French and Anglo residents of Louisiana, and were culturally influenced by them. The third settlement was located North of the Rio Grande toward the Nueces River. These Southern ranchers were citizens of Spanish origin from Tamaulipas
and Northern Mexico, and identified with both Spanish and Mexican culture. They were of the same stock as the original Tejano settlers. The Northern Mexican states of Nuevo León
, Coahuila
, and Tamaulipas
seceded from Mexico in 1840 to establish la República del Río Grande (the Rio Grande Republic
) with its capital in what is now Laredo, Texas
. However, their much anticipated political marriage with their Tejano kin did not come to fruition.
in 1821, many (but not all) colonial settlers of Northern New Spain
, including Northern Mexico, Texas and the American Southwest, understood themselves to be and called themselves descendants of Spaniards,.
Tejanos may variously consider themselves to be Mexican
, Chicano
, Spanish
and Hispano
in ancestral heritage. In urban areas, as well as some rural communities, Tejanos tend to be well integrated into both Hispanic and mainstream American cultures, and a number of them, especially among younger generations, identify more with the mainstream and may understand little or no Spanish.
While a large number of the people who have come mostly from Central and Southern Mexico since the Mexican Revolution up until the present have drawn their identity from the mestizo
culture (a mix of indigenous and Spanish cultures) and had their history and identity in the history of Mexico
, a portion of the people whose ancestors colonized Texas as well as most of the present-day Northern Mexican states in the Spanish Colonial Period drew their identity from the Spaniards, or criollos
, or the local populations such as the genizaro
s. Many of these find their history and identity in the history of Spain
and of the United States
as a consequence of the participation of Spain and its colonial provinces of Texas and Louisiana
in the American Revolution
.
Regional difference have caused those people of Texas, the colonial Tejanos or Tejano Texians, to identify more with the people of Louisiana, which was a Spanish colony, and of the U.S., rather than with the people of Central and Southern Mexico.
(ACS) data, Tejanos consist mostly of Mexican Americans whose ancestors arrived in Texas prior to and during the Mexican Revolution. Colonial Tejanos, who can be correctly identified as Tejano Texians, are descended from the colonists who pioneered Texas as citizens of the Kingdom of Spain through the Spanish Colonial Period starting in the 17th century through the 19th century up to the Texas Revolution, and who were generally of only Spanish heritage, or Hispanicized European heritage, including Frenchmen like Juan Seguin
, Italian like Jose Cassiano, or Corsica
n like Antonio Navarro
. Spanish post-colonial settlers stayed in Texas as refugees fleeing Spanish Civil War
, and their descendants were even added to the Tejano population. Also represented are Germans
, who were heavily concentrated in the Edwards Plateau. The region's Poles
, Czechs, Slovaks
, Danes, Dutch, Swedes, Irish
(see also Irish Mexican
), Scots, Welsh, and Anglo Americans – who arrived in the 19th century – were also considered Tejanos, as they were Hispanicized. The former two ethnicities (with Germans) would contribute greatly to Tex-Mex music
. Some Arabs are also considered Tejanos after Arab Mexican
s settled Texas during the Mexican Revolution. Natives of Texas with Spanish surnames and with Native American-Hispanic, and non-Spanish white American blood may be considered Tejanos as well.
Known as Crypto-Jews, (see Crypto Jews) are those who choose to remain hidden since the Spanish and Mexican Inquisitions, but practice secret Jewish rites in privacy. (Library of Congress, Microfiche 7906177). Safarditas are found particularly in the northern state of Nuevo León, Mexico, the American Southwest i.e., New Mexico, Arizona, and South Texas (formerly part of Nuevo León, Spain/Mexico and Tejas).
", blended with the sounds of Rock and Roll, R&B, Pop, and Country, with Mexican influences such as Mariachi
. The American Cowboy culture and music was born from the meeting of the Anglo-American Texians who were colonists from the American South and the original Tejano Texian pioneers and their "vaquero" or "cow man" culture.
and North American indigenous commodities with influences of the Mexican cuisine
.
Tex-Mex cuisine is characterized by its heavy use of melted cheese
, meat
(particularly beef
), bean
s, and spice
s, in addition to corn
or flour
tortillas. Chili con carne
, crispy chalupas
, chili con queso
, enchilada
s, and fajita
s are all Tex-Mex inventions. A common feature of Tex-Mex is the combination plate, with several of the above on one large platter. Serving tortilla chip
s and a hot sauce
or salsa
as an appetizer is also an original Tex-Mex invention. Cabrito, barbacoa
, carne seca
, and other products of cattle
culture have been common in the ranch
ing cultures of South Texas
and Northern Mexico. In the 20th century, Tex-Mex took on Americanized elements such as yellow cheese, as goods from the United States became cheap and readily available. Moreover, Tex-Mex has imported flavors from other spicy cuisines, such as the use of cumin
.
Daniel D. Arreola states that there is a line of demarcation in the "South Texas Mexican" food region, using a "taco-burrito" and "taco-barbecue" line of demarcation. To the west of this line, Mexican food served in a flour tortilla is often called a burrito, due to the influence of the Mexican state of Chihuahua. To the south and east of this line, the same food may be simply called a taco, showing a Tex-Mex influence. To the north, this food gives way to barbecue
sandwiches reflecting the influx of European, Southern Anglo, and African Americans.
, especially San Antonio
, is the historic center of Tejano culture. Duval County has one of the highest concentrations of Tejanos.
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...
of Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
heritage.
Historically, the Spanish term Tejano has been used to identify different groups of people. During the Spanish Colonial times and pre-Anglo colonization, the term primarily applied to Spanish settlers of the region now known as 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...
(first as part of the New Spain
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
and then in 1821 as part of Mexico). During the times of independent south Texas, the term also applied to Spanish-speaking Texans and Hispanicized Germans and other Europeans. In modern times, the term is more broadly used to identify a Texan
Texan
Texan normally refers to someone who originated from, or who lives in, the state of Texas in the United States of America.Texan may also refer to:-Aircraft:* T-6 Texan, WWII era training plane...
of Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
descent.
History
In 1821 at the end of the Mexican War of IndependenceMexican War of Independence
The Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and the Spanish colonial authorities which started on 16 September 1810. The movement, which became known as the Mexican War of Independence, was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos and Amerindians who sought...
, there were about 4,000 Tejanos living in what is now the state of Texas alongside a lesser number of immigrants. In the 1820s many settlers from the United States and other nations moved to Texas from the United States. By 1830, the 30,000 settlers in Texas outnumbered the Tejanos six to one. The Texians and Tejanos alike rebelled against the attempts of centralist authority of Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
and the measures implemented by Santa Anna
Antonio López de Santa Anna
Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón , often known as Santa Anna or López de Santa Anna, known as "the Napoleon of the West," was a Mexican political leader, general, and president who greatly influenced early Mexican and Spanish politics and government...
. Tensions between the central Mexican government and the settlers eventually led to the Texas Revolution
Texas Revolution
The Texas Revolution or Texas War of Independence was an armed 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...
. After the revolution, many were dismayed by the treatments they received at the hands of Texians/Anglos, who suspected and accused the Tejanos of sabotage and of aiding Santa Anna.
When immigrants butt heads first arrived in Texas, Tejano settlements arose in three separate regions. The Northern Nacogdoches region, the Bexar
Bexar County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,392,931 people, 488,942 households, and 345,681 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,117 people per square mile . There were 521,359 housing units at an average density of 418 per square mile...
–Goliad region along the San Antonio River
San Antonio River
The San Antonio River is a major waterway that originates in central Texas in a cluster of springs in north central San Antonio, approximately four miles north of downtown, and follows a roughly southeastern path through the state. It eventually feeds into the Guadalupe River about ten miles from...
, and the Rio Grande
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is a river that flows from southwestern Colorado in the United States to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way it forms part of the Mexico – United States border. Its length varies as its course changes...
ranching frontier between the Nueces River
Nueces River
The Nueces River is a river in the U.S. state of Texas, approximately long. It drains a region in central and southern Texas southeastward into the Gulf of Mexico. It is the southernmost major river in Texas northeast of the Rio Grande...
and the Rio Grande River. These populations shared certain characteristics yet they were also independent from one another. The main unifying factor for these separate regions was their shared responsibility of defending the Tejas frontier. Some of the first Tejano settlers were from the Canary Islands
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands , also known as the Canaries , is a Spanish archipelago located just off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, 100 km west of the border between Morocco and the Western Sahara. The Canaries are a Spanish autonomous community and an outermost region of the European Union...
. Their family units were among the first to settle at the Presidio of San Antonio de Béjar in 1731 (Modern-day San Antonio, Texas). Soon after, they established the first civil government in Texas at La Villa de San Fernando.
Ranching was a major activity in the Bexar-Goliad settlement, which consisted of a belt of ranches that extended along the San Antonio river between Bexar and Goliad. The Nacogdoches settlement was located in the North Texas region. Tejanos from Nacogdoches traded with the French and Anglo residents of Louisiana, and were culturally influenced by them. The third settlement was located North of the Rio Grande toward the Nueces River. These Southern ranchers were citizens of Spanish origin from Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the...
and Northern Mexico, and identified with both Spanish and Mexican culture. They were of the same stock as the original Tejano settlers. The Northern Mexican states of Nuevo León
Nuevo León
Nuevo León It is located in Northeastern Mexico. It is bordered by the states of Tamaulipas to the north and east, San Luis Potosí to the south, and Coahuila to the west. To the north, Nuevo León has a 15 kilometer stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to the U.S...
, Coahuila
Coahuila
Coahuila, formally Coahuila de Zaragoza , officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Coahuila de Zaragoza is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico...
, and Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tamaulipas is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 43 municipalities and its capital city is Ciudad Victoria. The capital city was named after Guadalupe Victoria, the...
seceded from Mexico in 1840 to establish la República del Río Grande (the Rio Grande Republic
Republic of the Rio Grande
The Republic of the Rio Grande was an independent nation that insurgents against the Central Mexican Government sought to establish in northern Mexico. The rebellion lasted from January 17 to November 6, 1840 and the Republic of the Rio Grande was never officially recognized.- Background :After a...
) with its capital in what is now Laredo, Texas
Laredo, Texas
Laredo is the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, located on the north bank of the Rio Grande in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 236,091 making it the 3rd largest on the United States-Mexican border,...
. However, their much anticipated political marriage with their Tejano kin did not come to fruition.
Etymology and usage
In the Spanish language, the term "tejano" is simply the term to identify an individual from Texas regardless of race or ethnic background. During the Spanish Colonial Period of Texas, before Texas became a part of independent MexicoFirst Mexican Empire
The Mexican Empire was the official name of independent Mexico under a monarchical regime from 1821 to 1823. The territory of the Mexican Empire included the continental intendencies and provinces of New Spain proper...
in 1821, many (but not all) colonial settlers of Northern New Spain
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
, including Northern Mexico, Texas and the American Southwest, understood themselves to be and called themselves descendants of Spaniards,.
Tejanos may variously consider themselves to be Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
, Chicano
Chicano
The terms "Chicano" and "Chicana" are used in reference to U.S. citizens of Mexican descent. However, those terms have a wide range of meanings in various parts of the world. The term began to be widely used during the Chicano Movement, mainly among Mexican Americans, especially in the movement's...
, Spanish
Spanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
and Hispano
Hispanos
Hispanos is a name given to people of colonial Spanish descent in what is today the United States who retained a predominantly Spanish culture. The distinction was made to compensate for flawed U.S. Census practices in the 1930s which used to characterize Hispanic people as non-white...
in ancestral heritage. In urban areas, as well as some rural communities, Tejanos tend to be well integrated into both Hispanic and mainstream American cultures, and a number of them, especially among younger generations, identify more with the mainstream and may understand little or no Spanish.
While a large number of the people who have come mostly from Central and Southern Mexico since the Mexican Revolution up until the present have drawn their identity from the mestizo
Mestizo
Mestizo is a term traditionally used in Latin America, Philippines and Spain for people of mixed European and Native American heritage or descent...
culture (a mix of indigenous and Spanish cultures) and had their history and identity in the history of Mexico
History of Mexico
The history of Mexico, a country located in the southern portion of North America, covers a period of more than two millennia. First populated more than 13,000 years ago, the country produced complex indigenous civilizations before being conquered by the Spanish in the 16th Century.Since the...
, a portion of the people whose ancestors colonized Texas as well as most of the present-day Northern Mexican states in the Spanish Colonial Period drew their identity from the Spaniards, or criollos
Criollo people
The Criollo class ranked below that of the Iberian Peninsulares, the high-born permanent residence colonists born in Spain. But Criollos were higher status/rank than all other castes—people of mixed descent, Amerindians, and enslaved Africans...
, or the local populations such as the genizaro
Genizaro
Genízaros and their contemporary descendants were recognized as indigenous people by the 2007 New Mexico Legislature. Genizaros were Native American slaves who served as house servants, sheepherders, and in other capacities in Spanish, Mexican, and US households in the Southwest United States well...
s. Many of these find their history and identity in the history of Spain
History of Spain
The history of Spain involves all the other peoples and nations within the Iberian peninsula formerly known as Hispania, and includes still today the nations of Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain...
and of the United States
History of the United States
The history of the United States traditionally starts with the Declaration of Independence in the year 1776, although its territory was inhabited by Native Americans since prehistoric times and then by European colonists who followed the voyages of Christopher Columbus starting in 1492. The...
as a consequence of the participation of Spain and its colonial provinces of Texas and Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
in the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
.
Regional difference have caused those people of Texas, the colonial Tejanos or Tejano Texians, to identify more with the people of Louisiana, which was a Spanish colony, and of the U.S., rather than with the people of Central and Southern Mexico.
Ethnic and national origins
In the 2007 American Community SurveyAmerican Community Survey
The American Community Survey is an ongoing statistical survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, sent to approximately 250,000 addresses monthly . It regularly gathers information previously contained only in the long form of the decennial census...
(ACS) data, Tejanos consist mostly of Mexican Americans whose ancestors arrived in Texas prior to and during the Mexican Revolution. Colonial Tejanos, who can be correctly identified as Tejano Texians, are descended from the colonists who pioneered Texas as citizens of the Kingdom of Spain through the Spanish Colonial Period starting in the 17th century through the 19th century up to the Texas Revolution, and who were generally of only Spanish heritage, or Hispanicized European heritage, including Frenchmen like Juan Seguin
Juan Seguín
Juan Nepomuceno Seguín was a 19th-century Texas Senator, Mayor, Judge, and Justice of the Peace and a prominent participant in the Texas Revolution.-Early life and family:...
, Italian like Jose Cassiano, or Corsica
Corsica
Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located west of Italy, southeast of the French mainland, and north of the island of Sardinia....
n like Antonio Navarro
José Antonio Navarro
José Antonio Navarro was a Texas statesman, revolutionary, politician, and merchant. The son of Ángel Navarro and Josefa María Ruiz y Pena, he was born into a distinguished noble family at San Antonio de Béxar in New Spain....
. Spanish post-colonial settlers stayed in Texas as refugees fleeing Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
, and their descendants were even added to the Tejano population. Also represented are Germans
German Texan
German Texan is an ethnic category that includes residents of the state of Texas with German ancestry who identify with the term. This identification may include cultural agreements—German language, German cuisine, feasts, music, hard work, frugality, and close family ties. From their first...
, who were heavily concentrated in the Edwards Plateau. The region's Poles
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
, Czechs, Slovaks
Slovaks
The Slovaks, Slovak people, or Slovakians are a West Slavic people that primarily inhabit Slovakia and speak the Slovak language, which is closely related to the Czech language.Most Slovaks today live within the borders of the independent Slovakia...
, Danes, Dutch, Swedes, Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
(see also Irish Mexican
Irish Mexican
Irish Mexicans are inhabitants of Mexico that are immigrants from or descendants of immigrants from Ireland...
), Scots, Welsh, and Anglo Americans – who arrived in the 19th century – were also considered Tejanos, as they were Hispanicized. The former two ethnicities (with Germans) would contribute greatly to Tex-Mex music
Tejano music
Tejano music or Tex-Mex music is the name given to various forms of folk and popular music originating among the Mexican-American populations of Central and Southern Texas...
. Some Arabs are also considered Tejanos after Arab Mexican
Arab Mexican
An Arab Mexican is a Mexican citizen of Arabic-speaking origin who can be of various ancestral origins. The vast majority of Mexico's 1.1 million Arabs are from either Lebanese, Syrian, Iraqi, or Palestinian background....
s settled Texas during the Mexican Revolution. Natives of Texas with Spanish surnames and with Native American-Hispanic, and non-Spanish white American blood may be considered Tejanos as well.
Known as Crypto-Jews, (see Crypto Jews) are those who choose to remain hidden since the Spanish and Mexican Inquisitions, but practice secret Jewish rites in privacy. (Library of Congress, Microfiche 7906177). Safarditas are found particularly in the northern state of Nuevo León, Mexico, the American Southwest i.e., New Mexico, Arizona, and South Texas (formerly part of Nuevo León, Spain/Mexico and Tejas).
Music
In direct relation to this distinction, genuine Tejano music is related to, and sounds more like, the folk music of Louisiana, known as "Cajun musicCajun music
Cajun music, an emblematic music of Louisiana, is rooted in the ballads of the French-speaking Acadians of Canada. Cajun music is often mentioned in tandem with the Creole-based, Cajun-influenced zydeco form, both of Acadiana origin...
", blended with the sounds of Rock and Roll, R&B, Pop, and Country, with Mexican influences such as Mariachi
Mariachi
Mariachi is a genre of music that originated in the State of Jalisco, in Mexico. It is an integration of stringed instruments highly influenced by the cultural impacts of the historical development of Western Mexico. Throughout the history of mariachi, musicians have experimented with brass, wind,...
. The American Cowboy culture and music was born from the meeting of the Anglo-American Texians who were colonists from the American South and the original Tejano Texian pioneers and their "vaquero" or "cow man" culture.
Food
The cuisine that would come to be "Tex-Mex" originated with the Tejanos as a hybrid of SpanishSpanish cuisine
Spanish cuisine consists of a variety of dishes, which stem from differences in geography, culture and climate. It is heavily influenced by seafood available from the waters that surround the country, and reflects the country's deep maritime roots...
and North American indigenous commodities with influences of the Mexican cuisine
Mexican cuisine
Mexican cuisine, a style of food that originates in Mexico, is known for its varied flavors, colourful decoration and variety of spices and ingredients, most of which are native to the country. The cuisine of Mexico has evolved through thousands of years of blending indigenous cultures, with later...
.
Tex-Mex cuisine is characterized by its heavy use of melted cheese
Cheese
Cheese is a generic term for a diverse group of milk-based food products. Cheese is produced throughout the world in wide-ranging flavors, textures, and forms....
, meat
Meat
Meat is animal flesh that is used as food. Most often, this means the skeletal muscle and associated fat and other tissues, but it may also describe other edible tissues such as organs and offal...
(particularly beef
Beef
Beef is the culinary name for meat from bovines, especially domestic cattle. Beef can be harvested from cows, bulls, heifers or steers. It is one of the principal meats used in the cuisine of the Middle East , Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Europe and the United States, and is also important in...
), bean
Bean
Bean is a common name for large plant seeds of several genera of the family Fabaceae used for human food or animal feed....
s, and spice
Spice
A spice is a dried seed, fruit, root, bark, or vegetative substance used in nutritionally insignificant quantities as a food additive for flavor, color, or as a preservative that kills harmful bacteria or prevents their growth. It may be used to flavour a dish or to hide other flavours...
s, in addition to corn
Maize
Maize known in many English-speaking countries as corn or mielie/mealie, is a grain domesticated by indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica in prehistoric times. The leafy stalk produces ears which contain seeds called kernels. Though technically a grain, maize kernels are used in cooking as a vegetable...
or flour
Flour
Flour is a powder which is made by grinding cereal grains, other seeds or roots . It is the main ingredient of bread, which is a staple food for many cultures, making the availability of adequate supplies of flour a major economic and political issue at various times throughout history...
tortillas. Chili con carne
Chili con carne
Chili con carne is a spicy stew. The name of the dish derives from the Spanish chile con carne, "chili pepper with meat". Traditional versions are made, minimally, from chili peppers, garlic, onions, and cumin, along with chopped or ground beef. Beans and tomatoes are frequently included...
, crispy chalupas
Chalupa
A chalupa is a tostada platter in Mexican cuisine. It is a specialty of south-central Mexico, including the states of Puebla, Guerrero and Oaxaca. Chalupas are made by pressing a thin layer of masa dough around the outside of a small mold, and deep frying to produce crisp, shallow corn cups...
, chili con queso
Chili con queso
Chile con queso , usually known simply as queso, is an appetizer or side dish of melted cheese and chile pepper typically served in Tex-Mex restaurants.- Background :...
, enchilada
Enchilada
An enchilada is a corn tortilla rolled around a filling and covered with a chili pepper sauce. Enchiladas can be filled with a variety of ingredients, including meat, cheese, beans, potatoes, vegetables, seafood or combinations.-Etymology:...
s, and fajita
Fajita
A fajita is a term found in both traditional Mexican cuisine and in Tex-Mex cuisine, commonly referring to any grilled meat served on a flour or corn tortilla. The term originally referred to the cut of beef used in the dish which is known as skirt steak. Popular meats today also include chicken,...
s are all Tex-Mex inventions. A common feature of Tex-Mex is the combination plate, with several of the above on one large platter. Serving tortilla chip
Tortilla chip
A tortilla chip is a snack food made from corn tortillas, which are cut into wedges and then fried . Corn tortillas are made of corn, vegetable oil, salt and water. Although first mass-produced in Los Angeles in the late 1940s, tortilla chips are considered to be a Mexican food, known as tostados...
s and a hot sauce
Hot sauce
Hot sauce, chili sauce or pepper sauce refers to any spicy sauce made from chili peppers and other ingredients.-Ingredients:There are many recipes for hot sauces - the common ingredient being any kind of peppers. A group of chemicals called capsaicinoids are responsible for the heat in chili peppers...
or salsa
Salsa (sauce)
Salsa may refer to any type of sauce. In American English, it usually refers to the spicy, often tomato based, hot sauces typical of Mexican and Central American cuisine, particularly those used as dips. In British English, the word typically refers to salsa cruda, which is common in Mexican ,...
as an appetizer is also an original Tex-Mex invention. Cabrito, barbacoa
Barbacoa
Barbacoa is a form of cooking meat that originated in the Caribbean with the Taíno people, from which the term "barbecue" derives. In contemporary Mexico it generally refers to meats or a whole sheep slow-cooked over an open fire, or more traditionally, in a hole dug in the ground covered with...
, carne seca
Carne seca
Carne seca by meaning is dehydrated beef in Spanish and Portuguese, but the preparation methods and marinating recipes are very different from that of what is normally known in the United States as Beef Jerky....
, and other products of cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
culture have been common in the ranch
Ranch
A ranch is an area of landscape, including various structures, given primarily to the practice of ranching, the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle or sheep for meat or wool. The word most often applies to livestock-raising operations in the western United States and Canada, though...
ing cultures of South Texas
South Texas
South Texas is a region of the U.S. state of Texas that lies roughly south of and including San Antonio. The southern and western boundary is the Rio Grande River, and to the east it is the Gulf of Mexico. The population of this region is about 3.7 million. The southern portion of this region is...
and Northern Mexico. In the 20th century, Tex-Mex took on Americanized elements such as yellow cheese, as goods from the United States became cheap and readily available. Moreover, Tex-Mex has imported flavors from other spicy cuisines, such as the use of cumin
Cumin
Cumin is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, native from the east Mediterranean to India. Its seeds are used in the cuisines of many different cultures, in both whole and ground form.-Etymology:...
.
Daniel D. Arreola states that there is a line of demarcation in the "South Texas Mexican" food region, using a "taco-burrito" and "taco-barbecue" line of demarcation. To the west of this line, Mexican food served in a flour tortilla is often called a burrito, due to the influence of the Mexican state of Chihuahua. To the south and east of this line, the same food may be simply called a taco, showing a Tex-Mex influence. To the north, this food gives way to barbecue
Barbecue
Barbecue or barbeque , used chiefly in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia is a method and apparatus for cooking meat, poultry and occasionally fish with the heat and hot smoke of a fire, smoking wood, or hot coals of...
sandwiches reflecting the influx of European, Southern Anglo, and African Americans.
Geography
The majority of Tejanos of both first generation (the first settlers) and those who descend from recent early and mid-20th century Mexican immigrants are concentrated in Southern Texas. Bexar CountyBexar County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,392,931 people, 488,942 households, and 345,681 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,117 people per square mile . There were 521,359 housing units at an average density of 418 per square mile...
, especially San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, is the historic center of Tejano culture. Duval County has one of the highest concentrations of Tejanos.
Famous Tejanos
- SelenaSelenaSelena Quintanilla-Pérez , known simply as Selena, was a Mexican American singer-songwriter. She was named the "top Latin artist of the '90s" and "Best selling Latin artist of the decade" by Billboard for her fourteen top-ten singles in the Top Latin Songs chart, including seven number-one hits...
- Chris PérezChris PerezChristopher Gilbert "Chris" Pérez is a American guitarist and the widower of "The Queen of Tejano music" Selena. He is currently a guitarist for A.B. Quintanilla III y Los Kumbia All Starz since he joined in 2006. Prior to that, Pérez was the lead guitarist for his wife's band Selena y Los Dinos...
- NatalieNatalie (singer)Natalie Nicole Alvarado , better known simply as Natalie, is a Mexican-American R&B singer/songwriter.-Biography:After her high school years, she chose to study criminal justice after giving up her dreams of being a singer....
- DJ KaneDJ KaneJason Cano better known as DJ Kane is a Mexican American singer who is currently recording an album alongside ex Kumbia All Starz vocalist Ricky Rick. He was also the lead vocalist for the Latin Grammy award winning A.B...
- Carlos Coy (South Park Mexican)
- Chingo BlingChingo BlingPedro Herrera III in Houston, Texas of Mexican parents, better known by his stage name Chingo Bling, is a well known underground rapper and producer....
- La MafiaLa MafiaLa Mafia is a four-time Grammy Award-winning musical group. It has its roots in the Northside neighborhood of Houston, Texas and has charted a course as a Latin music band.- History :...
- Gaspar Flores de AbregoGaspar Flores de AbregoJosé Gaspar Flores de Abrego was a political figure of Texas, Tejano land commissioner and associate of the colonists of Austin and a mayor of San Antonio, Texas.- Early life and family :...
- Arturo AlvarezArturo AlvarezArturo Alvarez is a left-footed, American-born Salvadoran footballer who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer, and for the El Salvador national team.-Professional:...
- Simón de ArochaSimón de ArochaSimon de Arocha was a judge on the distribution of public lands and the mayor of San Antonio de Béjar . Since 1782 his family became leader of the farmers in the province.- Biography :...
- Linda ArsenioLinda ArsenioLinda Arsenio is an American actress and model from Texas. She has predominantly appeared in Indian films in various languages. She is probably best known for her performance as Jessica Beckham in the 2006 Hindi film Kabul Express....
- Tony Ayala, Jr.Tony Ayala, Jr.Antonio Ayala Jr. is a former Mexican-American boxer in the Light Middleweight division. He began his professional career in 1980, and by 1982 he had compiled a record of 22 wins and no losses, with 19 knockouts. Ayala has two brothers who were boxers, Mike Ayala and Sammy Ayala.-Early life:Ayala...
- Paulie AyalaPaulie AyalaPaul Anthony Ayala is a Mexican-American former boxer and two time world champion. Ayala is a born-again Christian, and he professed so by thanking God for his success after virtually every fight...
- Devendra BanhartDevendra BanhartDevendra Obi Banhart is a singer-songwriter and visual artist. Banhart was born in Houston, Texas and was raised by his mother in Venezuela, until he moved to California as a teenager. He began to study at the San Francisco Art Institute in 1998, but dropped out to perform music in Europe, San...
- Santos BenavidesSantos BenavidesSantos Benavides was a Confederate colonel during the American Civil War. Benavides was the highest-ranking Tejano soldier in the Confederate military.-Biography:...
- Roy BenavidezRoy BenavidezRaul Perez Benavidez was a member of the Studies and Observations Group of the United States Army. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions in combat near Lộc Ninh, South Vietnam on May 2, 1968....
- Alexis BledelAlexis BledelAlexis Bledel is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Rory Gilmore in the television series Gilmore Girls and Lena Kaligaris in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.-Early life:Bledel was born Kimberly Alexis Bledel in Houston, Texas...
- Shelbie BruceShelbie BruceShelbie Carole Bruce is an American teen actress fluent in both English and Spanish who had a lead role in the film Spanglish....
- Vikki CarrVikki CarrVikki Carr is an American singer and humanitarian from El Paso, Texas. She has performed in a variety of music genres, including jazz, pop and country, but has enjoyed her greatest success singing in Spanish.-Career:After taking the stage name 'Vikki Carr', she signed with Liberty Records in 1962...
- Ryan CabreraRyan CabreraRyan Frank Cabrera is an American pop rock musician. In 2004, Cabrera debuted with his single "On the Way Down", a top ten hit in the U.S., and album Take It All Away...
- Elsa Salazar CadeElsa Salazar CadeElsa Salazar Cade is an award-winning Mexican American science teacher and entomologist.Elsa received her undergraduate degree in elementary education at the University of Texas at Austin and her master's in public school administration at Niagara University...
- Henri CastroHenri CastroHenri Castro , a Jewish Texan, was one of the most important empresarios of the Republic of Texas.-Early life:...
- Jason Castro
- Richard E. CavazosRichard E. CavazosRichard Edward Cavazos , a Korean War recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross as a first lieutenant, who advanced in rank to become the United States Army's first Mexican American four-star general. During the Vietnam War, as a lieutenant colonel, Cavazos was awarded a second Distinguished...
- Rudolph B. Davila
- Paula DeAndaPaula DeAndaPaula DeAnda is a Mexican American pop singer-songwriter and actress. She first came to prominence with her first single "Doing Too Much" that became a hit in the Southwest. She then got the opportunity to audition for Clive Davis who signed her to Arista Records on the spot...
- Jacob De CordovaJacob De CordovaJacob De Cordova, , was the founder of the Jamaica Gleaner. He settled in Texas in 1839 and lived in Galveston. After living in Galveston, De Cordova moved to Houston, Texas where he was elected a Texas House of Representatives to the second Texas Legislature in the year 1847. DE CORDOVA, JACOB...
- Jade Esteban EstradaJade Esteban EstradaJade Esteban Estrada is a successful Latin pop singer, comedian, choreographer, actor, political commentator, and human rights activist...
- Blas María de la Garza FalcónBlas Maria de la Garza FalcónBlas María de la Garza Falcón was a Spanish settler of Tamaulipas and South Texas.- Biography :...
- José Antonio de la GarzaJosé Antonio de la GarzaJosé Antonio de la Garza , was a Tejano who was noted for being the first employer in San Antonio, Texas and the first man to create a coin in this state. José Antonio de la Garza was elected mayor of San Antonio in 1813.- Biography :...
- Madison De La GarzaMadison De La GarzaMadison Rose De La Garza is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Juanita Solis on Desperate Housewives.-Biography:Madison De La Garza was born to Eddie De La Garza and Dianna Bonheur Hart De La Garza...
- Adina Emilia De ZavalaAdina Emilia De ZavalaAdina Emilia De Zavala was a teacher, historian and preservationist of Texas history. Her efforts led to saving the Alamo Long Barrack Fortress for future generations. She was born to Augustine De Zavala , son of Lorenzo de Zavala, the first Vice President of the Republic of Texas...
- Freddy FenderFreddy FenderFreddy Fender , born Baldemar Garza Huerta in San Benito, Texas, United States, was a Mexican-American Tejano, country and rock and roll musician, known for his work as a solo artist and in the groups Los Super Seven and the Texas Tornados...
- Manuel N. FloresManuel N. FloresManuel Flores served as a volunteer in the Texas army in 1835-1838. Fighting and commanding, he would rise through the ranks to reach Sergeant status during the fight for Texas independence and would be commissioned a Captain during the Republic Years.-Family History- Early Years:Manuel Flores...
- Salvador FloresSalvador FloresSalvador Flores served as a volunteer in the Texan Army in 1835–1836. He was instrumental in organizing and commanding Texian volunteers in support of the Texas Revolution. He participated in many battles and would rise through the ranks to reach Captain status during the fight for Texas...
- Hector P. GarciaHector P. GarciaHector Perez Garcia was a Mexican-American physician, surgeon, World War II veteran, civil rights advocate, and founder of the American G.I. Forum. As a result of the national prominence he earned through his work on behalf of Hispanic Americans, he was instrumental in the appointment of Mexican...
- Roberto GarzaRoberto GarzaRoberto Garza is an American football center and guard for the Chicago Bears of the NFL.-High School Years:Garza attended Rio Hondo High School in Rio Hondo, Texas and was a Letterman in football and track and field...
- Selena GomezSelena GomezSelena Marie Gomez is an American actress and singer best known for portraying Alex Russo in the Emmy Award-winning Disney Channel television series Wizards of Waverly Place...
- Alberto GonzalesAlberto GonzalesAlberto R. Gonzales was the 80th Attorney General of the United States. Gonzales was appointed to the post in February 2005 by President George W. Bush. Gonzales was the first Hispanic Attorney General in U.S. history and the highest-ranking Hispanic government official ever...
- Alfredo Cantu GonzalezAlfredo Cantu GonzalezAlfredo Cantu "Freddy" Gonzalez was a United States Marine Corps sergeant who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for service in the Battle of Huế during the Vietnam War.-Biography:...
- Henry B. GonzalezHenry B. GonzalezHenry Barbosa González was a Democratic politician from the state of Texas. He represented Texas's 20th congressional district from 1961 to 1999.-Background:...
- Nicholas GonzalezNicholas GonzalezNicholas Edward Gonzalez is an Mexican-American actor, best known for playing Alex Santiago in the TV series Resurrection Blvd..-Early life:...
- Pedro Gonzalez-GonzalezPedro Gonzalez-GonzalezPedro Gonzalez-Gonzalez was an American character actor best known for his appearances in a number of John Wayne movies....
- Eddie GuerreroEddie GuerreroEduardo Gory "Eddie" Guerrero was a Mexican-American professional wrestler born into the Guerrero wrestling family. He wrestled in Mexico and Japan for several major professional wrestling promotions...
- Roland GutierrezRoland GutierrezRolando Gutierrez is best known as a keyboardist and music producer with credits from DJ Kane, Jennifer Pena, Chris Pérez Band, Thalía and Verónica Castro just to name a few with two of his productions earning Latin Grammy nominations.-Career:Gutierrez began playing piano at the age of 15 and was...
- Laura HarringLaura HarringLaura Harring is a Mexican-American actress and former Miss USA . She is known for her role as Rita in Mulholland Drive.-Early life:...
- IntocableIntocableIntocable is a Tejano/Norteño musical group from Zapata, Texas that was started by friends Ricky Muñoz and René Martínez in the early 90's. Within a couple years as a band, Intocable had already risen to the top of the Tejano and Norteño fields with a musical signature that had fused Tejano's...
- Flaco JiménezFlaco JiménezLeonardo "Flaco" Jiménez is a Tejano music accordionist from San Antonio, Texas. Jiménez's father, Santiago Jiménez Sr. was a pioneer of conjunto music. He began performing with his father at age seven and recording at age fifteen, as a member of Los Caporales...
- Juan LealJuan LealJuan Leal Goraz was the founder and first Mayor of San Antonio. His family settled by order of the Spanish crown in San Antonio in 1731, together with other families. He had become the most important member of the community in his early years in San Antonio, since he became the leader and...
- Armando Lichtenberger Jr.Armando Lichtenberger Jr.Armando Liechtenberger Jr. is a member of Tejano musical band La Mafia, where he is the keyboardist and accordionist.- References :...
- Sebastián LigardeSebastián LigardeSebastián Ligarde is an award-winning Mexican-American actor best known for his work in telenovelas and the big screen...
- Eva LongoriaEva LongoriaEva Jacqueline Longoria is an American actress, best known for portraying Gabrielle Solis on the ABC television series Desperate Housewives...
- Felix LongoriaFelix LongoriaPvt. Felix Z. Longoria , a soldier, who served in the United States Army during World War II and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.-Personal:In November 1944 Felix Z...
- Diana LópezDiana LópezDiana López is an American born Olympic Taekwondo competitor of Nicaraguan ethnicity. She represented the USA at the 2008 Beijing Olympics...
- Jose M. LopezJose M. LopezJose Mendoza Lopez was a United States Army soldier who was awarded the United States' highest military decoration for valor in combat — the Medal of Honor — for his heroic actions during the Battle of the Bulge, in which he single-handedly repulsed a German infantry attack, killing at...
- Trini LopezTrini LopezTrini Lopez is an American singer, guitarist and actor.-Career:Lopez was born in Dallas, Texas, on Ashland Street in the Little Mexico neighborhood. He began his entertainment career in Dallas playing at the Vegas Club, a nightclub owned by Jack Ruby...
- Los Lonely BoysLos Lonely BoysLos Lonely Boys is a Chicano rock power trio from San Angelo, Texas. They play a style of music they call "Texican Rock n' Roll," combining elements of rock and roll, Texas blues, brown eyed soul, country, and Tejano....
- Demi LovatoDemi Lovato"She’s got the range, the full emotional spectrum, incredible control… Vocally, she’s the best thing Disney’s had since Christina Aguilera."—Producer Toby Gad on Demi Lovato's vocals...
- Susana MartinezSusana MartinezSusana Martinez is the 31st and current governor of New Mexico.A Republican, Martinez is the first female governor of New Mexico, as well as the first female Hispanic governor in the United States. She was formerly the district attorney for the 3rd Judicial District of the U.S. state of New Mexico...
- Lydia MendozaLydia MendozaLydia Mendoza was an American guitarist and singer of Tejano music. She is known as La Alondra de la Frontera ....
- Nina MercedezNina MercedezNina Mercedez is a Mexican-American pornographic actress, producer and director.-Biography:Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, Nina Mercedez' family background is Mexican....
- Juan MoyaJuan MoyaJuan Moya , was a prominent landowner Tejano and Mexican army´s captain who fought in the Texas Revolution.- Biography :John Moya was born about 1806 in the Presidio La Bahia , Texas. His father was José Miguel Delgado and he had two brothers, one of which was Pedro Moya Nepomuceno...
- Ramón MúsquizRamón Músquiz- Biography :Don Muzquiz Ramón González was born in 1797 in San Antonio, Texas, in an environment where he lived with presidio soldiers and settlers, both Spanish and Mexicans and Anglos, mostly of northern Texas. Coming from a Basque family, his life was spent in the company of missionary friars...
- Jose Antonio NavarroJosé Antonio NavarroJosé Antonio Navarro was a Texas statesman, revolutionary, politician, and merchant. The son of Ángel Navarro and Josefa María Ruiz y Pena, he was born into a distinguished noble family at San Antonio de Béxar in New Spain....
- Ramón NúñezRamón NúñezRamón Núñez is a Honduran international footballer, currently playing for Leeds United. Núñez plays primarily as an attacking central midfielder playmaker. He can also play as a Winger or as a second striker. In his homeland he is nicknamed El Principito meaning The Little Prince...
- Antonio de OlivaresAntonio de OlivaresAntonio de Olivares was a Spanish Franciscan known by officiate at the first Mass celebrated in Texas, for contributing to the founding of San Antonio and for his exploration in this city.-Biography:...
- Lupe OntiverosLupe OntiverosLupe Ontiveros is an American film and television actress. Ontiveros has acted in numerous films and television shows, most often playing a maid or, more recently, an all-knowing grandmother; she estimates she has played a maid between 150 and 300 times on screen.-Early life:Ontiveros was born...
- Federico PeñaFederico PeñaFederico Fabian Peña is a former United States Secretary of Transportation from 1993 to 1997 and United States Secretary of Energy from 1997 to 1998, during the presidency of Bill Clinton....
- Jennifer PeñaJennifer PeñaJennifer Marcella Peña , is an American Latin Pop/Tejano singer and actress who has sold over 3.5 million records internationally. Peña is the third and youngest daughter of Jaime and Mary Peña with other siblings Janet and Jackie...
- Bobby PulidoBobby PulidoRoberto Pulido Jr. , better known as Bobby Pulido, is a Mexican-American Tejano music performer who was born in Edinburg, Texas.-Family:...
- John QuiñonesJohn QuiñonesJuan Manuel "John" Quiñones is an ABC News correspondent, and currently the host of Primetime: What Would You Do?.-Early life and education:John Quiñones was born in San Antonio, Texas on May 23, 1952...
- Abraham Quintanilla III
- D'Nika RomeroD'Nika RomeroD'Nika Lea Romero is an American model. She is also a former women's basketball player for Texas A&M University, for Lubbock, Texas/Coronado/Texas A&M-Kingsville/Claredon JC...
- Raini RodriguezRaini RodriguezRaini Alena Rodriguez is an American actress, best known for playing Maya Blart in Paul Blart: Mall Cop. She also appeared in an episode of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, as Betsy, and on the new Disney XD show I'm In The Band as Annoying Arlene...
- Rico Rodriguez IIRico Rodriguez IIRico Rodriguez is an American actor.Rodriguez currently plays the role of Manny Delgado on the ABC sitcom Modern Family. He is the younger brother of actress Raini Rodriguez.-Acting career:...
- Robert RodriguezRobert RodriguezRobert Anthony Rodríguez is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, editor and musician. He shoots and produces many of his films in his native Texas and Mexico. He has directed such films as Desperado, From Dusk till Dawn, The Faculty, Spy Kids, Sin City, Planet...
- Valente RodriguezValente RodriguezValente Rodriguez is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Ernesto "Ernie" Cardenas on the sitcom George Lopez. He currently stars as Cesar in the TV Land sitcom Happily Divorced.-Life and career:...
- Francisco Antonio RuizFrancisco Antonio RuizFrancisco Antonio Ruiz was the alcalde of San Antonio during the Texas Revolution and was responsible for identifying the bodies of those killed at the Battle of the Alamo....
- José Francisco RuizJose Francisco RuizJosé Francisco "Francis" Ruiz was a Texas revolutionary-Early life and family:Ruiz was born in San Antonio de Bexar, Texas to Juan Manuel Ruiz and María Manuela de la Peña. Appointed the first schoolmaster of San Antonio in 1803, he designated a house acquired by his father on Military Plaza as...
- Efren SaldivarEfren SaldivarEfren Saldivar is an American serial killer who murdered patients while working as a respiratory therapist.-Early life:...
- Don Tomás SánchezDon Tomás SánchezDon Tomás Sánchez de Barrera y de la Garza was a veteran Spanish Captain who founded Laredo, Texas, United States and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico, at the time it was one town in the Nuevo Santander Province.-Origins:...
- Ricardo SanchezRicardo SanchezRicardo Sanchez is a retired United States Army Lieutenant General and a candidate for the Democratic Party nomination for the Senate election in 2012 for the seat of retiring Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.-Early life and education:...
- Juan SeguínJuan SeguínJuan Nepomuceno Seguín was a 19th-century Texas Senator, Mayor, Judge, and Justice of the Peace and a prominent participant in the Texas Revolution.-Early life and family:...
- Erasmo SeguínErasmo SeguínJuan Jose Maria Erasmo Seguin was a prominent citizen and politician in San Antonio de Bexar in the 19th century. From 1807 until 1835, Seguin served as postmaster of San Anotnio, TX. After Mexico achieved independence from Spain, Seguin was named the sole representative from Texas to the...
- Sarah ShahiSarah ShahiAahoo Jahansouz "Sarah" Shahi is an American actress and a former NFL Cheerleader. She is probably best known for starring in The L Word as Carmen de la Pica Morales and in Life as Detective Dani Reese...
- Abel TalamantezAbel TalamantezAbel Talamantez Mendoza , is a Mexican American singer. He is currently a singer for the band Cruz Martínez Y Los Super Reyes. He used to be in the bands Menudo, MDO, and A.B...
- Vicente Álvarez TraviesoVicente Álvarez TraviesoVicente Álvarez Travieso was the first alguacil mayor of San Antonio, Texas, whose office was held until his death. He was one of the people who contributed most to the community of the isleños of San Antonio because, through of their demands to the leaders of New Spain was able to improve the...
- Lee TrevinoLee TrevinoLee Buck Trevino is an American professional golfer. He is an icon for Mexican Americans, and is often referred to as "The Merry Mex" and "Supermex". He won six major championships over the course of his career.-Early life:...
- Jose Francisco TorresJosé Francisco TorresJosé Francisco Torres is an American soccer player. He currently plays as a midfielder for Pachuca in the Primera División de México and the United States national team.-Personal:...
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- Jaci VelasquezJaci VelasquezJacquelyn Davette Velasquez is an American Contemporary Christian and Latin Pop singer—in both English and Spanish languages....
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- Marcos WittMarcos WittMarcos Witt , is an American, four-time Latin Grammy Award-winning Christian singer and pastor.-Biography:Marcos Witt is the second born of three children to Jerry and Nola Witt, a young American missionary couple. The Witt family moved to Durango, México, in 1964 and they started a missionary...
- Ignacio ZaragozaIgnacio ZaragozaIgnacio Zaragoza Seguín was a general in the Mexican army, best known for defeating invading French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 ....
- Lorenzo de ZavalaLorenzo de ZavalaManuel Lorenzo Justiniano de Zavala y Saenz was a 19th-century Mexican politician. He served as finance minister under President Vicente Guerrero. A colonizer and statesman, he was also the interim Vice President of the Republic of Texas, serving under interim President David G...
- Luis Silva
- Jesse BorregoJesse BorregoJesse Borrego is an American actor. Better knownfor playing Cruz Candelaria in Blood in, Blood out and later guest starring as George King in Dexter. Borrego, a Mexican American, was born in San Antonio, Texas. He considered going into the US Air Force to become a pilot...
- Gustavo SorolaGustavo SorolaGustavo "Gus" Sorola is a computer technichan for Rooster Teeth Productions, and is also a voice actor in their machinima series, including Red vs. Blue as Private Dick Simmons and in The Strangerhood as the Computer, a role he shared with Geoff Ramsey...
- Patricia VonnePatricia VonnePatricia Vonne is an American singer and actress.A native of San Antonio, Texas, Vonne moved to New York City in 1990-2001 to pursue her artistic ambitions. She worked extensively in Europe and America and was featured in national/international commercials, and film work...