Texas pride

The particular and complex culture and history of Texas has led to an extraordinarily strong sense of state level pride and individuality.

A portrayal of Texas pride on every day items such as cupcakes

The official state nickname of Texas is "The Lone Star State" as a tribute to the state's time as a sovereign nation.[1] While the phrase is presumed to date to the 19th century, the nickname was not made official until the 84th Texas Legislature in 2015.[2][3] According to the resolution,

"Whatever its origins, and whatever its uses, from the serious to the playful, the phrase "the Lone Star State" has achieved universal currency as a sharp and memorable way to evoke the unique legacy of Texas and the indomitable spirit of its people"

Background

The Battle of the Alamo was a pivotal event in Texas history that is seen as a source of Texas pride.[4] Figures such as James Bowie, David Crockett, as well as lesser-known Texas heroes, like James Bonham and Almeron Dickenson, began to emerge as the cause for the fight became more personal and the pride in Texas and desire for independence grew.[5] Although the battle was lost, the phrase "Remember the Alamo" is part of its legacy.[6] Texas gained independence in 1836 after defeating the Mexican army at The Battle of San Jacinto, and it remained an independent nation until it was annexed by the U.S. in 1845.[7][8]

Media
A don't mess with Texas anti-littering sign

Media plays a large role in promoting this cultural unity and nationalistic state pride. The song "Deep in the Heart of Texas" can be heard at events across the state. Sports teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Texas Rangers, Dallas Stars, and Dallas Mavericks feature this song at home games.

In 1985, the Texas Department of Transportation launched the Don't Mess With Texas campaign. Originally used to discourage littering on Texas roadways, it has morphed into a slogan that is used to promote Texas pride.[9]

T.R. Fehrenbach, considered one of Texas's greatest historians,[10] noted that "Texas was not a society, but a people" and he believed that the history of Texas was so powerful that it was "based on, but not limited by facts."[11]

Psychology

Demographic pride in Texas is taught to children at a young age. A significant portion of the elementary and middle school social studies curriculum is dedicated to Texas history.[12]

In a study performed by the University of Texas at Austin, researchers found that those who most strongly identified as "Texan" were not only those who were born and raised in Texas, but also those who immigrated to Texas from another state as a young child.[13]

"The fact that both native-born Texans as well as those who came to Texas from another state as children are so much more likely to strongly identify with Texas than the other groups suggests that Texas identity is in large part forged in school, especially in grades 4 through 7 when students are required to study Texas history in social studies class."[13]

Texas law requires that the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag as well as the pledge of allegiance to the Texas flag be said on a daily basis in all public charter schools, followed by a moment of silence.[14]

Portrayals of Texas pride manifest themselves in visible ways such as "Don't Mess With Texas" t-shirts, Texas-shaped jewelry, tattoos, signs, and phrases.[15]

See also

References
  1. Scudder, Charles (May 30, 2018). "Why is Texas the Lone Star State? Curious Texas answers a British query". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  2. "Texas State Symbols". Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  3. Guillen. “Concurrent Resolution.” 84(R) HCR 78 - Introduced Version - Bill Text, capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/84R/billtext/html/HC00078I.htm.
  4. Defenders of the Alamo: Who Were They, and Why Did They Do It?" Torch Magazine, Spring 2016, 8-11.
  5. Haile, Bartee (July 24, 2017). Unforgettable Texans. Arcadia Publishing Incorporated. ISBN 978-1-4396-6169-7.
  6. Homer S Thrall (16 April 2012). A History of Texas: From the Earliest Settlement to the Year 1885: With an Appendix Containing the Constitution of the State of Texas, Adopted November, 1875, and the Amendments of 1883: For Use in Schools and for General Readers. Nabu Press. ISBN 978-1-248-85117-3.
  7. Todish, Timothy J.; Todish, Terry; Spring, Ted (1998). Alamo Sourcebook, 1836: A Comprehensive Guide to the Battle of the Alamo and the Texas Revolution. Austin, Texas: Eakin Press. ISBN 978-1-57168-152-2.
  8. Neu, C.T. "Annexation". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Agency. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  9. "Don't Mess with Texas: History". dontmesswithtexas.org. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  10. Martin, Douglas (December 3, 2013). "T.R. Fehrenbach, Historian, Dies at 88; Chronicler of Larger-Than-Life Texas". The New York Times. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  11. Fehrenbach, T.R. (2000). Lone Star: A History of Texas and The Texans. Da Capo Press.
  12. Erenkrantz, Justin. "Don't Mess With Texas". Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  13. Myers, Adam (January 19, 2010). "Texans Are Proud of Where They're From". The Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  14. "Texas Education Code, § 25.082: Pledges of Allegiance; Minute of Silence".
  15. Fernandez, Manny (May 10, 2016). "Texans, and Others, on What Their State Means to Them". The New York Times. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
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