Imperial Spain, first of six nations claiming Texas, flew her banners here for more than three centuries. Early figures were proud conquistadores, in gleaming armor and plumed helmets; also solitary missionaries who worked among the Indians, building a chain of mission-schools throughout the land.
France claimed the new territory in 1685 when explorer-nobleman Robert Cavelier, sieur de La Salle, landed on the Texas Gulf Coast. His colony, Fort Saint Louis, was short-lived. La Salle was murdered, his colony had dwindled to a handful of survivors when found by the Spanish four years later.
For more than a decade, Mexico's tricolor witnessed the intermingling of cultures-on one side, newcomers from the United States; on the other, spirited adventures from Old Spain. The historic rift in 1836 freed Texas politically, but Hispanic influences have remained both in custom and language.
The unique flavor of many a Texas yarn even today took root during nearly a decade of Texas independence. While the Lone Star flag waved over the new Republic of Texas, rawhide-tough cowboys, fast stagecoaches and faster gunmen branded a colorful and indelible imprint on this legendary land.
When clouds of national dissension erupted into Civil War, the Stars and Bars were raised to signal Texas' lot with the Confederacy. As in other Southern states, the war brought devastation and economic collapse. But at its end, returning Texas veterans found one thing of immense promise: Longhorns!
Shrugging aside defeat and bitter reconstruction, Texas marshalled its resources for its climb to greatness. First the fabled Longhorn-providing beef for a growing nation. Then black gold from deep underground, and a bounty of agriculture from rich topsoil. Today Texas looks up-to outer space.
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