Bluebonnets, the State Flower
The second-largest U.S. state in both area and population, Texas contains diverse landscapes resembling both the American South and Southwest. As one travels from east to west across the state, the landscape changes from piney woods to gentle rolling hills to mountainous desert.
Starting with the Anahuac Disturbances in 1832, Texas began its revolt against Mexico to gain independence. This struggle for independence saw many bloody battles, including the battle at the Alamo in San Antonio,a 13 day siege which left the entire force of Texans dead and the massacre at Goliad. On April 21, 1836, Texas was finally able to gain its independence with the defeat of Santa Anna during the Battle of San Jacinto.
The long road to statehood began in 1837 with several attempts made by the Republic to negotiate its entry and annexation into the United States. Opposition both within, from the nationalist factions, and without, from the strong anti-abolitionist forces of the United States slowed Texas's admission to the Union until December 29, 1945 when Congress finally admitted Texas as a constituent state of the Union. This led to the severance of diplomatic ties with Mexico due to the dispute of borders between the two countries. The Compromise of 1850 finally set Texas's boundaries to their present form. In 1839, Austin was established as the state's capital.
The Tower at UT, Austin
Caddo Lake
