When Was the Texas Flag Adopted?

The state flag of Texas is one of six flags that have flown over this huge state, with the others belonging to Spain, France, the Republic of Texas, the Southern Confederacy, and the United States of America. Unmistakable because of its design, the state flag of Texas actually gave the state its nickname. When was the state flag of Texas first adopted?

Time Frame

The current Texas flag was adopted as its national flag on Jan. 24, 1839, when Texas declared itself a Republic after breaking away from Mexico. When Texas became a state in 1845 it kept the current flag with the single star on it, thus becoming known as the "Lone Star State." The pledge to the Texas flag, which is, "Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible," was adopted by the state's Legislature in 1933.

History

Mystery surrounds the actual designer of the Texas flag, with many names being brought up time and again as those who had a hand in creating it, including those of Joanna Troutman, Charles Bellinger Stewart, Peter Krag, Sara Dodson and William Wharton. The colors all have meaning, with the white for purity, the blue for loyalty and the red for bravery. The Texas state flag is the only flag of the 50 states that was once the flag of an independent country.

Identification

One of the most-recognized state flags, the Texas flag has a blue vertical stripe on the left side with a five-pointed white star in its center. Bordering this are two stripes horizontally, one white and one red. The white stripe is above the red one.

Misconceptions

Many people are under the impression that the state flag of Texas is the only state flag that can be flown at the same height as the United States flag, feeling that since Texas was formerly a republic that special stipulations were enacted. This is not true. Any of the state flags can fly at the same height as the United States flag, not just Texas'. The flag does need to be to the left of the United States flag.

Considerations

The flag of North Carolina has the same basic color pattern as that of Texas but lacks the star. Instead there are the letters "N" and "C" in yellow, with a white star in between them. There is also scrolling above and below the lettering with writing in it. The red and white portions of the North Carolina flag are reversed from the Texas version, with the red on top and white on the bottom.