Current location:	Where else?
Current mood:	excited
Current music:	"Texas" soundtrack
Entry tags:	celebration, holidays, postcards, random mail, state facts, texas

Texas Independance Day!

Yes, on this day in 1836 the then-republic of Texas declared independence from Mexico. Texas being my home state, I see this as a holiday. So to start the festivities I give you a list of "State Things", starting with the full text of our state song, which sums it all up nicely.

Texas, Our Texas
(text from http://www.50states.com/songs/texas.htm, which also has sheet music for the song)
Written by William J. Marsh and Gladys Yoakum Wright
Composed by William J. Marsh

Texas, Our Texas! all hail the mighty State!
Texas, Our Texas! so wonderful so great!
Boldest and grandest, withstanding ev'ry test
O Empire wide and glorious, you stand supremely blest.

Texas, O Texas! your freeborn single star,
Sends out its radiance to nations near and far,
Emblem of Freedom! it set our hearts aglow,
With thoughts of San Jacinto and glorious Alamo.

Texas, dear Texas! from tyrant grip now free,
Shines forth in splendor, your star of destiny!
Mother of heroes, we come your children true,
Proclaiming our allegiance, our faith, our love for you.

God bless you Texas! And keep you brave and strong,
That you may grow in power and worth, throughout the ages long.
God bless you Texas! And keep you brave and strong,
That you may grow in power and worth, throughout the ages long.

This song was adopted by the Texas State Legislature in 1929. It has a nice ring to it, don't you think? "Beautiful Texas" is another great one, but I'll save that for another time. :)

State Bird: Mockingbird

State Tree: Pecan (and most of us pronounce it PUH-cahn, not Pea-can, by the way. :)

State Flower: Bluebonnet

Capital: Austin

And what am I doing to celebrate, besides posting this? Quite simple, really. Today I'm going through some of the random-mail websites I'm on and picking out addresses to send Texas postcards to, with a note added about the occasion. (I'll mail them tomorrow, as today is a Sunday...) It's not much, but it's a start. :)

So, happy Texas Independence Day to everyone!