Texas Independence Day in the United States Date in the current year: March 2, 2024

Texas is a unique state because it was an independent republic for nearly a decade before being admitted into the Union. Prior to the arrival of the first Europeans, the territory of what is now Texas was populated by Native American tribes, including the Alabama, Apache, Bidai, Comanche, Choctaw, Coushatta, Hasinai, Jumano, Karankawa, Kickapoo, Kiowa, Tonkawa, Wichita, and more.

The first European to set foot in Texas was Spanish explorer Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca in 1528. However, the Spanish colonization of Texas did not begin until the late 17th century. The Spanish wasn’t even interested in the land per se; they were mostly concerned about French expansion. Due to hostile Native American tribes, Texas was one of the most sparsely populated provinces of New Spain.

When the United States acquired Louisiana from France in 1803, the purchased land included northern portions of Texas. The rest of Texas remained a part of New Spain. In 1819, the United States and Spain reached an agreement on the boundary between Louisiana and New Spain. It was set along the Sabine River, at what is now the border between Louisiana and Texas.

In 1821, the Mexican War of Independence ended, resulting in Mexico’s independence from Spain. Texas became part of newly independent Mexico under the terms of the Treaty of Cordoba. Since it was still very sparsely populated, it was divided between several states and territories: Coahuila y Texas (which contained the core territory of Texas), Tamaulipas, Chihuahua, and Santa Fe de Nuevo México.

In order to protect the area from Comanche raids, the Mexican government encouraged immigration to Texas from the United States and Europe. As a result, the population of Texas grew rapidly, but most of the new settlers were of non-Mexican descent. Many immigrants openly disregarded Mexican laws, and the authorities eventually prohibited immigration from the United States. However, this didn’t stop illegal immigration.

Eventually English-speaking settlers launched the Texas Revolution, seeking independence from Mexico. The revolution began on October 2, 1835 and lasted for roughly six and a half months. On March 2, 1836, the delegates of the Texas Convention signed the Texas Declaration of the Independence.

Texas Independence Day is a semi-official holiday. It is marked by various events, but state offices stay open, although with reduced staffing. Texas Independence Day coincides with two more commemorations, Texas Flag Day and Sam Houston Day.

Although the flag of Texas was first adopted on January 25, 1839, the Texas Legislature decided that Texas Flag Day should be celebrated on the same day as Texas Independence Day. March 2 is also Sam Houston’s birthday. Samuel Houston was the commander of the Texas Army during the Texas Revolution, the first and third president of the Republic of Texas, and the seventh governor of Texas.