Wrenn Rainero
TEXAS
HISTORY
Texas is an amazing state with a lush history, with Native Americans and explorers. Also, it has had many intriguing events and an interesting government. It became fully accepted on December 29, 1845. Since then many alluring events have happened.
First People
The first people to come into Texas were called “hunter gatherers” they arrived about 11,000 years ago. By having young boys and men hunt, and the women and girls gather nuts and berries they thrived. The very first people to settle in this area a were the Kichai tribe. They settled in the northern part of the state; they were near the waters of the Red River in Louisiana and as far south as the headwaters of the Trinity River in Texas.
Explorers &
Settlers
One of the main explorers in Texas was a man named Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca; he was from Spain and he shipwrecked off the coast of Texas. He then looked for treasure in 1528. He looked a little South of the middle of Texas. His mission was a failure because it ended only with four men.
The spanish arrived in 1528 and landed on the coast of Florida. They tried to convert Native Americans to Roman Catholicism. The Spanish sent priests to go and convert them. They built missions and also forced the Native Americans to speak Spanish and wear European clothing.
Hurricane
Harvey
Hurricane Harvey was a Category four storm that hit on August 24, 2017. It had $125 billion dollars in cost damage. That is more than any other storm in America besides Katrina. By October 13, 2017, at least 88 people died. At its peak on September 1, 2017, one-third of Houston was underwater. All of the horrible flooding forced 39,000 people out of their homes. Luckily, Dallas created a mega-shelter for 5,000 evacuees out of its main convention center.
As of September 5, 2017, Hurricane Harvey damaged 203,000 homes, of which 12,700 were destroyed. Federal forces rescued 10,000 people who were trapped in their homes or on flooded highways. On September 14, at least 3,900 homes were without power there were 77 boil-water notices in effect, 19 water systems down and 31 wastewater systems remained offline. In the Gulf area, 1 million vehicles were ruined beyond repair.
The Alamo
Fifteen archaeological investigations have occurred at or near the Alamo since 1966. There once was human skull found in the North Courtyard in 1979. Two extremely rare 1818 Garza coins were discovered on the west side of the plaza, and ashes and charred bones of Texan soldiers were found beneath the street in front of the Alamo Shrine in 1995. It was originally called Mission San Antonio de Valero. It was built as a fortress style compound and mission. The Alamo chapel was constructed of blocks of limestone. The name The Alamo came to be due to the Second Flying Company of San Carlos when they took over the abandoned mission. It is approximately 30 feet tall and 60 feet wide. A group that called themselves the Daughters of the Republic of Texas convinced the government to buy the Alamo in 1905 so it could be restored. It all started when in 1836, Mexican soldiers attacked the Alamo and most of the soldiers of the Texan Army were killed. But, in 1835 the general of the Mexican soldiers surrendered the mission to the Texan Army as the texans hollered “remember the alamo!”
Oil Spill At
Spindletop
The oil spill at spindletop was an important event in texas history. Namely, it thrusted texas into the industrial age. Mud, gas, and oil erupted from a well at Spindletop on January 10, 1901. This was a big turning point for texas. The oil was eventually named “texas tea”. Oil promised long term wealth for texas.
Executive
The governor of texas is Greg Abbott and he is on a four year term.
Legislature
The legislature has a Senate of 31 members and a House of Representatives that consists of 150 members.
Courts
The courts have a Chief Justice and eight justices,the highest criminal court is the Court of Criminal Appeals and it has nine judges, including a presiding judge,who is elected to six-year terms.
Local Gov.
Texas has 254 counties—more than any other state. It also has more than 1,200 incorporated cities, towns, and villages.
Texas became a state on December 29, 1845 and it is 28th in rank.
STATE FLAG
The flag of Texas has a vertical blue rectangle to the left; inside the rectangle is one white star. On the other side are two horizontal rectangles, they take up about two thirds of the flag. Those rectangles are red and white; the white is on the top and the red is on the bottom.
STATE SEAL
The seal of Texas has a blue background, and a white star in the middle. There is an oak branch, and a olive branch curved around the star. The border of the seal reads in white letters The State of Texas.I learned that it was adopted in 1836. Also that it is called the lone star flag and that the oak branch to the left of the star symbolizes strength. Also, I learned that olive branch to the right of the star symbolizes peace
Conclusion
For thousands of years people have loved the land that we call texas today. Texas has had a ton of interesting events including, the oil spill at spindletop, the Alamo, and Hurricane Harvey. I hope in the future of Texas that it will continue to grow and flourish.
By: Wrenn Rainero