Today marks a major milestone in American history. 180 years ago, Texas was admitted into the United States as the 28th state, beginning a new chapter for a place that has always done things its own way.
Covering 268,596 square miles and home to more than 31 million residents as of 2024, Texas is the second-largest U.S. state by both area and population. Only Alaska is larger in size—nearly two and a half times as big—and only California has more people. Big, bold, and impossible to ignore, Texas earns its reputation honestly.
The Lone Star Legacy
Texas is famously nicknamed the “Lone Star State,” a reference to the single star on its flag and its former life as an independent nation, the Republic of Texas. Over its long and complex history, Texas has flown the flags of six different nations: Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and the United States.
Even the name Texas reflects connection rather than conflict. The word comes from a term used by Native tribes of East Texas meaning “friends” or “allies,” sometimes used as a greeting. That meaning lives on today in the state motto: Friendship.
A Wildlife Powerhouse
Texas is one of the most biologically diverse states in the country. It’s home to 65 species of mammals, 213 species of reptiles and amphibians, and the greatest diversity of bird life in the United States, with 590 native bird species.
The state recognizes three official mammals:
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The nine-banded armadillo
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The Texas Longhorn
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The Mexican free-tailed bat
Just outside San Antonio, Bracken Cave hosts the largest bat colony in the world. From March to October, over 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats migrate up to 1,000 miles from Mexico to roost there. These bats are more than impressive—they’re incredibly helpful. By consuming several tons of insects each night, they save south-central Texas cotton farmers an estimated $1.2 million annually, according to a 2006 study.
Agriculture, Oil, and Industry
Texas leads the nation in both the number of farms and total farmland acreage. It ranks first in the production of cattle, horses, sheep, goats, wool, mohair, and hay, and it’s also the top producer of cotton, the state’s most valuable crop. In addition, Texas grows large amounts of cereal crops and produce.
Along the Texas Gulf Coast, the fishing industry plays a vital role in the state’s economy. And, of course, there’s oil. The first major oil well was discovered in Texas in 1901, and production peaked in 1972 at three million barrels per day. According to a 2014 study, if Texas were its own country, it would rank as the sixth-largest oil producer in the world.
Presidents and Pride
Although Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush are closely associated with Texas, neither was born there—one was born in Massachusetts, the other in Connecticut. Texas can still claim two native-born U.S. presidents: Dwight D. Eisenhower and Lyndon B. Johnson.
Bigger, Bolder, and Unmistakably Texas
The slogan “Don’t Mess with Texas” began in 1986 as an anti-littering campaign but quickly evolved into a declaration of Texas pride and swagger. Likewise, the phrase “everything is bigger in Texas” has been around since at least 1950—and it’s not just talk.
Texas is home to:
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The largest and oldest state fair
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The world’s largest cowboy boots
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The world’s largest armadillo
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The world’s biggest honky-tonk, where Merle Haggard set a Guinness World Record in 1982 by buying 5,095 Canadian Club whiskies in a single round
Texas-Born Innovations
The Lone Star State has also given the world some unforgettable inventions, including:
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Dr Pepper
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Fritos
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Handheld calculators
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Liquid Paper
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3D printing
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Convenience stores (the first 7-Eleven opened in Dallas in 1927)
After 180 years in the Union—and centuries of rich history before that—Texas remains exactly what it’s always been: bold, diverse, innovative, and fiercely proud.