Texas
Texas is the twenty-eighth state to enter into the union and was admitted on December 29, 1845. It is the second largest of the 50 US states, and the largest continental state. Before its admission, it was its own country, having gained independence from Mexico
The capital of Texas is Austin, and the largest city is Houston. It was solidly Democratic from about 1900 to the 1970s, then Republicans gradually took control and now dominate. Texas is 268,581 sq. miles (about 695,622km2) total area.[1]
The "Six Flags" amusement park chain takes its name from the fact that six flags have flown over Texas: Spanish, French, Mexican, Republic of Texas, Confederate States of America, and United States of America.
Despite a widely spread urban legend stating otherwise, Texas' entry to the Union was not accompanied by a provision that allows Texas to secede from the Union at any time. [2] However, it is the only state with the right to break itself into up to five smaller states.
Notable Texans
- Lance Armstrong, who holds the record for most consecutive Tour de France victories, was born in Plano.
- George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States, former Governor of Texas.
- Dwight Eisenhower, former president, was born in Denison.
- Pat Garrett, the policeman who shot Billy the Kid, lived in multiple locations in Texas.
- Sam Houston was the president of Texas when it was an independent nation, and lent his name to Texas's largest city.
- Howard Hughes, the reclusive billionaire who was the subject of the movie The Aviator, was born in Humble.
- Lyndon B. Johnson, former president, lived and died in Stonewall.
- Phil McGraw, talk show host, lived in Wichita Falls at one point.
- Ted Nugent, controversial conservative musician, lives near Crawford.
- Ross Perot, former presidential candidate, was born in Texarkana.
- Dan Rather, former CBS news anchor, was born in Wharton.
- Stevie Ray Vaughn, musician.
