1. Texas Independence Day March 2, 2010

2. What is Texas Independence Day? The state of Texas has a proud history full of heroes and important events that created the Texas we all know and love. On March 2, 1836 Texas declared its independence from Mexico and became the Republic of Texas. Fifty-four men representing the people of Texas met in a small building in a village named Washington. It was located on the banks of the Brazos River and later became known as the Washington-on-the- Brazos. A Declaration of Independence was signed that separated Texas from Mexico and its laws and taxes. The Mexican president Santa Anna was not happy and decided to fight the Texans.

3. On February 23, 1836, General Santa Anna and his Mexican army of 6,000 men attacked the Alamo. Inside its walls, 200 brave men fought the Mexican army for 13 days. Sadly on March 6 th, the Mexican army defeated the Texans at the Alamo. The news of the Battle of the Alamo spread throughout Texas. Texans shouted “Remember the Alamo!” as they continued to fight the Mexican army in other important battles in the war for independence.

4. Sam Houston became the general of the Texas army. Under his leadership, the Texans won the Battle of San Jacinto where General Santa Anna was captured. On April 21, 1836 the war for independence ended and Texas was a free country. Sam Houston

5. The San Jacinto Monument was built on the historic site of the last battle for independence. General Santa Anna signed a peace treat that established the border between Texas and Mexico as the Rio Grande River.

6. The first official flag of the Republic of Texas, designed by General Lorenzo de Zavala, was adopted by the Convention held at Washington-on-the- Brazos, May 11, 1836, shortly after the victory at San Jacinto. This flag had a blue field with a white five- pointed star in it's center. Around the star were the letters T-E-X-A-S.

7. Sam Houston became the first president of the Republic of Texas. The first capital city was Houston, TX which is named after the famous general. President Sam Houston approved the National Standard of Texas in December of 1836. National Standard of Texas

8. For almost 10 years, the Republic of Texas grew as a nation. Finally on December 29, 1845, Texas became the 28 th state of the United States of America.

9. Fun Facts about Texas * Texas is the 2 nd largest state in the United States; only the state of Alaska is bigger. *The capital of Texas is Austin, TX. *The Governor is Rick Perry. *3 of the largest cities in the USA are in Texas: Houston, Dallas, San Antonio. *It’s nickname is “The Lone Star State”. It represents the fact that Texas was a republic before becoming a state and to honor the heroes of Texas’ war of independence. *The Texas flag is the only state flag that can fly at the same level as the USA flag. Texas is the only state to have been a republic before it became a state. Rick Perry

10. Texas Independence Day is a legal holiday in the state of Texas. March 2 nd is also Texas Flag Day and Sam Houston Day.

11. The present day flag of Texas was created by Dr. Charles B. Stewart of Montgomery County, Texas. In1997, House Resolution 1123, officially declares Montgomery County as the birthplace of the Lone Star Flag,