| Texas Independence Day celebrates the adoption of | | | | Texans to victory over Mexican troops at the battle |
| the state's independence declaration. It is an annual | | | | of San Jacinto. |
| legal holiday in Texas, in the United States, on March | | | | Symbols |
| 2. March 2 also marks Texas Flag Day and Sam | | | | Texas' Lone Star flag became the state's official flag |
| Houston Day, although these are special observances | | | | on January 24, 1839. It consists of a rectangle with a |
| rather than legal holidays. | | | | width to length ratio of two to three featuring: |
| Texas' flag, also known as the Lone Star flag, | | | | - A blue vertical stripe one-third the entire length of |
| became the state's official flag in 1839. | | | | the flag wide, and two equal horizontal stripes, the |
| ©iStockphoto.com/Francisco Romero | | | | upper stripe white, the lower red, each two-thirds |
| What do people do? | | | | the entire length of the flag long. |
| Texas Independence Day celebrations are held in | | | | - A white, regular five-pointed star in the center of |
| many cities and towns throughout the state. The day | | | | the blue stripe, oriented so that one point faces |
| is celebrated by festivals that include children's | | | | upward, and of such a size that the diameter of a |
| activities, re-enactments, band music, and chili | | | | circle passing through the five points of the star is |
| cook-offs. Other activities include story-telling | | | | equal to three-fourths the width of the blue stripe. |
| sessions about how Texas won its independence | | | | Texas has various symbols such as the Bluebonnet |
| from Mexico and became a republic during the 19th | | | | (state flower), the Northern Mockingbird (state bird), |
| century. | | | | and the horned lizard (state reptile). |
| Some state government workers may choose to | | | | State historic sites include the Casa Navarro in San |
| have a day off on Texas Independence Day as it is | | | | Antonio, Texas. It was the home of Tejano patriot |
| a partial staffing day. Many schools have classroom | | | | Jose Antonio Navarro, who was influential in the fight |
| lessons and activities about the Texas Declaration of | | | | for Texas' independence. Another important site is |
| Independence during this time of the year. | | | | the San Jacinto Monument in La Porte, Texas, which |
| Public life | | | | is built on the actual battleground where Texas won |
| Texas Independence Day is a partial staffing day in | | | | its independence from Mexico. |
| Texas however state offices are scheduled to be | | | | Note: The above-mentioned symbols and historic |
| open on partial staffing holidays. They will not be | | | | sites are only a few mentioned in this article. Texas |
| closed on another day when designated holidays fall | | | | has more symbols and historic sites throughout the |
| on a Saturday or Sunday. Those travelling to places | | | | state. |
| where festivals and large-scale celebrations are held | | | | On March 2, 1836, Texas severed ties with Mexico |
| may need to check with the relevant authorities | | | | and became a free and independent republic. It was |
| about traffic and parking conditions in these areas. | | | | a short-lived country: a little less than 10 years later |
| Background | | | | Texas joined the Union. As any Texan will tell you, |
| Texas Independence Day commemorates the | | | | though, that streak of independence still runs strong |
| adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence | | | | and deep through our second-largest state. And |
| on March 2, 1836. This event marked Texas' | | | | that's something to celebrate wherever you find it. |
| independence from Mexico. Sixty delegates from all | | | | Instructions |
| over Texas signed the declaration. Its language in | | | | |
| many ways parallels the 1776 Declaration of | | | | 1. Step 1 |
| Independence of the United States, which is | | | | Visit Washington-on-the-Brazos, where the Texas |
| observed on Independence Day, also known as "the | | | | Independence Convention signed the Republic into |
| fourth of July". | | | | being. It's now a state park with state-of-the-art |
| The Republic of Texas was annexed to the US by | | | | interactive exhibits open year round, with plenty of |
| joint resolution of the US Congress nine years after | | | | rousing events during the week of March 2. |
| the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed. | | | | 2. Step 2 |
| The US Congress then admitted Texas as a | | | | Travel to San Antonio and tour the Alamo. |
| constituent state of the Union on December 29, | | | | 3. Step 3 |
| 1845. Texas Independence Day is an official holiday in | | | | Watch "The Alamo" starring John Wayne as Davy |
| Texas. Sam Houston Day is also observed on March | | | | Crockett. |
| 2, marking the birthday of the man who led the | | | | 4. |