June 29, 2023 – THEME WEEK DAY 4

We’re continuing our theme week on 5 Other Things that Happened on the 4th of July! It was on July 4, 1845, that Texas agreed to become part of the United States! On that day, the Texas Congress passed an ordinance agreeing to the Union’s annexation offer. Before it became a state, Texas was its own country, the Republic of Texas. It had also been claimed by Spain, France, and Mexico prior to that. Texas was officially admitted to the Union by President James Polk on December 29, 1845.
Texas is the 2nd largest state after Alaska, and has the 2nd highest population, after California. It’s bigger than any country in Europe! It’s nicknamed the Lone Star State after its former status as an independent republic and as a reminder of the struggle for independence from Mexico. Oil was first found there in 1901, and at its peak in 1972, the state was producing 3 million barrels per day!
You’ve probably heard the slogan “Don’t Mess with Texas”. It actually began as an anti-littering ad campaign in 1986! And they say everything is bigger in Texas – which might just be true! The state is home to the largest rose garden in America, the world’s largest convenience store, it has the largest state fair in the country, and Texas holds the Guinness World Record for the largest Frito Pie, largest pecan pie, and largest bowl of salsa. Learn more here.