I’m not a Texas native, but ever since I came out to Abilene in 1989 for college, I’ve made Texas my home. I fell in love with this bold land full of glorious sunsets, rugged cowboys, and people who cling to the hospitality of the south. My children are all Texas born and bred, as are my books.
The Lone Star State has a proud heritage, being the only US state to have once been an independent nation. However, as I did a little more research, I was fascinated by the different flags Texas used throughout its revolutionary history.
The most famous Texas flag, is of course, the Lone Star Flag. This iconic design was adopted on January 25, 1839 as the official national flag of the Republic of Texas. It continued on as the state flag when Texas joined the Union in 1845.
However, during Texas’s formative years, as they struggled to gain freedom from Spain and Mexico, there were several different revolutionary flags used to inspire its citizens. I’ve picked a few of my favorites to highlight.
The Lone Star and Stripes Flag – used primarily by the Texas Navy through the time of the Texas Revolution up until annexation. Its resemblance to the United States flag gave an added benefit of protection for those ships flying this flag in coastal waters. There is also evidence that the Lone Star and Stripes was used at the battles of Goliad, the Alamo, and San Jacinto.
The Come and Take It Flag – created by the people of Gonzalez, Texas featuring the image of the town cannon Mexican forces had demanded they turn over. In 1831, the Mexican Army had given a small cannon to the town to protect them against Commanche raids. Over the next four years, however, the political situation in Mexico deteriorated, and they demanded their cannon back to deal with the revolts. Texians gathered to battle the dragoons sent to reclaim the cannon and were successful. The Battle of Gonzalez was a small, insignificant skirmish, but it became the first battle of the Texas Revolution and inspired countless Texians to make a stand against Mexico.
The Alamo Flag – Historians doubt that this flag actually flew over the Alamo during the famous battle, but it came to represent what the Battle of the Alamo stood for – Freedom. This flag was used when Texas was still Coahuila y Tejas, a Mexican state fighting for freedom from Spanish rule. Most likely it derived its name as the Alamo Flag from the persistent belief that it was raised during that famous battle, even though there is no evidence to support the claim. Davy Crockett”s journal clearly states that the Lone Star and Stripes flag was what had been raised.
- So what do flags mean to you? Patriotism, state pride?
- Do you ever fly flags for personal events in your lives? I remember after the birth of our first child, my mother-in-law planted a pink flag in our yard bolding proclaiming that we had just welcomed a little girl to our family.
- Do you have flags in your home for decoration or commemoration of a loved one? They sure are powerful symbols, aren’t they?
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Funny thing about Texas — everyone seems to be patriotic about the state. I’m born in Ireland and raised in Canada but I get all stirred up over Texas. Why is that? I’m blaming old Western movies. And authors like you! LOL
In hockey mad Canada fans of the game drive around town flying their team’s flag out the car window all season long. And then when the play-offs happen (is that even the term — I’m not a hockey buff…gasp) most everyone flies a team flag in front of their house or at least in a window. Except me. I’m tempted to create a figure skating flag and flying it in protest but I’m scared of the repercussions. 🙂 (Up here televised hockey games are always bumping figure skating competition coverage.)
Texans definitely have more than their fair share of state pride, Kav. You are so right!
We have the same phenomenon down here with sports flags, only they usually pertain to college football. Maybe you can make a figure skating flag and I can make one for tennis (my sport of choice). Think they’d catch on? 🙂
Thanks for a nice little history lesson Karen.:) It is always interesting to know the stories behind a certain symbol and especially from O/S Countries.
We have our Aussie Flag(featuring the Southern Cross of course) which is National rather than individual State Flags and also, we fly the flag of our Indigenous People. Both flags are flown at any conventions/ ceremonies etc and some people do fly their flags at home…. not seen quite as much here as in the US but that doesn’t mean to say we are not patriotic. As a Nation, we are very proud of our Country.
We also have our sporting flags….”.Aussie Rules” springs to mind, as each Footy Team Fans go beserk and wave them wildly!. LOL Also our Athletes have their Flags in Aussie Colours (green and gold) when competing in the International Games (Olympics and Commonwealth) ….KAV always barracks for the Aussies….don’t you Kav? LOL!)
This maybe a really dumb question but you refer to “”The Battle of The Alamo”. What exactly is, “The Alamo”?
Thanks for all the great info. about your Aussie traditions, Rosie!
The Alamo was a small mission in what is now San Antonio Texas. Suring the Texan Revolution when the Texians were fighting for freedom from Mexico, the huge Mexican army led by Santa Ana laid siege to the much smaller garrison of Texians holed up in the Alamo mission. Without a thought of surrendering, the Texians fought to the last man. Some of these last men included famous frontier legends such as Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. The cry of “Remember the Alamo” became the motivating force for Sam Houston as he fought to avenge those who had given their lives in the cause of freedom. Eventually, the Texians defeated Santa Ana and his army and gained Texas Independence.
I have a flag pole in my front yard. I change it out at least once a month or more. Have collected flags to use for family birthdays, graduation, Christmas, Easter. St. Patricks Day, Valentine’s day, 4th of July, and the different seasons. I always get choked up when the national anthem is played and we salute the flag. I think about all those that have given their lives for our freedom.
That sounds like a fun tradition, Gail. We have a few neighbors in our area who fly theme flags for each of the major holidays and seasons. It’s always such a cheerful sight. Makes me smile.
Like you, I’m an adopted Texan. Like you, I love this state!
My grandmother was born on ‘Flag Day’, June 14th, and was proud of that fact all her life. My mom puts her American flag out every Flag Day in her honor. 🙂
New flags fly over the Capitol building in DC every day. When they’re taken down, the senators and representatives are able to give the flags away. My sister’s sister in law works at the Capitol and because of her, I received one of those flags in recognition of the accomplishment of publishing My Stubborn Heart. I treasure that flag! Now to get a mounting for it attached outside my house so I can fly it…
What a cool gift, Becky! That’s awesome. And what a beautiful way to honor your grandmother on Flag Day. 🙂
Thanks for the info on The Alamo, Karen.Very interesting.
I omitted to say that our Aussie Flag ,in addition to the Southern Cross also has the Union Flag incorporated which is the official Flag of the UK.. The Union Flag is known as the Union Jack but only refers to that name in a nautical setting….Jack being Naval “jargon” for Flag.:)
We use the Union Flag as acknowledgement of our ties with Britain because Australia originally settled as a British Colony and we still retain membership of the British Commonwealth of Nations.
I didn’t realize the term “Jack” referred to the flag itself. Great tidbit, Rosie.
Hello Karen. I love Texas. I was born in Ok but always said I was born in OK. but got to TX. just as soon as I could. I was a year old. I have the big US flag as commeration for my husband’s service in WW ll . My oldest brother also served in that war. Lots of member’s of our family served. I love to see our US Flag. Also love the Texas flag too. Love when we go to baseball games that our flag is is honored with our flag flying and saluted and the national Anthem sang. GOD Bless America.
I love the “God Bless America” tradition, too, Maxie. It’s so important to remember where true, eternal freedom comes from.
I am a native Texan, but I have been living in Colorado for the past six years. I loved reading about the flags. Of course I learned about this in elementary school and also in college because I was an elementary education major. You can’t teach in Texas without having taken Texas history. I miss home, but the weather is much better here, and it is beautiful.
I’ve often thought that if I could retire someplace besides Texas, I would choose Colorado. The one thing Texas really doesn’t have is mountains, and that is the one thing I miss the most from California. I was never a beach girl, but oh, how I love the mountains and the forests. The scenery is just so inspiring and glorious. I always feel closer to God there. I’ve visited Colorado a few times, and I’m ready to go back again. Maybe soon. 🙂
I greatly enjoyed your information on the Texan flags. Very informative! 😀
I have lived in Texas all my life and always tell people that Texas is and always will be home. Though I am not a fan of the weather (I’m a polar bear), it is a great place to live both socially and politically.
We are one of the few states that gives our pledge after the national pledge (Not every state gives their pledge at events). This is probably one aspect of how we Texans show our pride in our state.
Not to mention the fact that all Texans are immediately dubbed “Cowboy” and “Cowgirl” as soon as our home-state is known. I have never owned a horse, nor lived on a ranch. But hope to one of these days. 😉
There is more to this state than meets the eye. My heart brims with pride every time Texas is mentioned. God has truly blessed my family with a great state in a country that is not faring too well these days.
Thanks for that interesting post, Karen!!
Living in a condo community – I don’t have a lot of land space so use the garden flags. I use the U.S. flag on all such designated holidays, and appropriately designated flags for every other holiday in the year also.
Excellent tips. Really useful stuff .Never had an idea about this, will look for more of such informative posts from your side.. Good job!