Six Flags and Texas Snobbery

Not just a theme park, the national flags that have flown over Texas are a colorful part of Texas (and U.S.) history. Each flag symbolizes an era of the state's past and a country which staked its claim to Texas soil. Since 1519, when Cortez explored the region, the following countries have flown their banner over the Lone Star State (in order by year of claim):

• Spain


• France


• Mexico


• THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS


• The Confederate States of America


• The United States of America

For more information about each of these eras in Texas history, you can click this link: The Six National Flags of Texas, and for more interesting history and facts about Texas, please click the title of this post!

Of all the other states, Texas and Hawaii are the only states which were previously their own "country" (you could substitute REPUBLIC or KINGDOM here) before becoming a part of the United States of America. There is a deep-rooted legend in Texas that because of this fact, Texans "are able to fly their flag at the same height as the American Flag". As a Native Texan and Texas Patriot, I have been known to propagate this rumor myself! I did some research this morning on the subject, however, and would like to share with you a quote from Wikipedia about the Texas Flag Legend (aside from a word I have chosen to bleep out)...

"It's an urban legend. However, current Texas flag code specifies that if the Texas flag is flown on a pole alongside the US flag, both flags should be on poles of equal height (3100.055). Note that both US flag code and Texas flag code specify no penalties or enforcement provisions, and as such are merely guidelines. Given that, Texans are going to do what they **** well please when it comes to flying flags. -- Cyrius 08:32, 18 Mar 2005 (UTC)"

I agree with Cyrius here when it comes to the Texan spirit of pride in state and flag. Without penalties in violating flag laws, there's not a Texan I know who would fly their flag below the U.S. flag. In fact, I doubt there is any state in America that displays their state flag as much as Texas. Many homes and businesses do not even fly the American flag at all while they proudly display the Texas flag on their property. There are many in Texas who hold dear the "Spirit of Texas Independence" the same way we all celebrate "American Independence". At the root of all this snobbishness is just a deep-seated root of love for the state and the ideal of wild-west, cowboyish freedom that it embodies.

Although Texans seem a proud and loud-mouthed brood... there has never been a state full of people with bigger hearts towards guests than the "Friendship State". Of course, you'll find varying degrees of hospitality in different cities (and everyone is entitled to a few bad days). As a general rule, we would ask that you not judge us just on the basis of one place you visit, but a culmination of all of the state as a whole.

Each Texan is partial to his or her own stomping grounds, and (for the sake of preventing any hostility) you should always find a little something nice to say about it before you tell them what you disliked! Chances are, if you haven't gotten off of a major Texas highway, you really have no idea what the state is all about anyway. Probably the most ugly and embarrassing scenery in the whole state is the part you'll see traveling all the way down Interstate 45 and all the way across Interstate 10. What a sad shame that visitors can drive through the state and shake their head, wondering why we are such a loyal bunch. Even Highway 35 can be a little pathetic at moments, and it certainly keeps visitors to the Austin area completely in the dark about the area's rugged, beautiful hill country that is not visible unless you travel west from the interstate.

I thought I would share these interesting facts with you after our long drive into (and out of) our home state over the weekend. My husband actually asked someone out of state if they had to take a class on "Texas History" when they were in high-school. Ha! I hope you'll enjoy this little history lesson and we Texans hope you know that although we LOVE our state fiercely, we certainly aren't hostile towards any of the other great states in this united country we share! May God bless Texas, America, and the World! Merry Christmas and Peace on Earth!

Technorati Tags: Texas, Austin, geography, History, Texas History, houston, dallas, metroblogging, fort worth, san antonio, flags, patriot, independence, travel, road trip