1.
Coat of arms of Texas
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Texas is one of eighteen states that have adopted an official coat of arms. The current coat of arms developed from the coat of arms used by the Republic of Texas before its annexation into the United States. With its independence from Mexico in 1836, the new Republic of Texas was in need of its own national emblems. A “lone” star had been a symbol of the independence movement, featuring in various flags such as Captain Scotts Flag, the De Zavala Flag. The new coat of arms of the republic was described as “a white star of five points on an azure ground encircled by olive and live oak branches. ”However, two elements of the arms can be considered as being open to interpretation. The “azure ground” has been interpreted as either a traditional heraldic shield or, more commonly. The placement of the olive and live oak branches was not specified, though commonly depicted as charges along with the star on the azure background, they could also be interpreted as belonging outside of the shield as supporting elements. Upon joining the United States in 1845, the state of Texas retained its national flag and seal as emblems of the new state, but there were no provisions for a state coat of arms. The three main elements of the 1839 act, the five pointed star and olive and live oak branches. However, many different variations of the seal emerged over the years containing incorrect or superfluous items such as stars and diamonds. By 1991, nearly twenty different versions of the seal were being used on state documents. The Texas State Seal Advisory Committee was appointed to develop standards for the state seal based upon a description as opposed to an art design. Recognizing the star, olive and live oak branches as the historic elements representing Texas, the official design of the Texas State Arms was approved as well. In essence, the coat of arms of the state of Texas is the same as the coat of arms of the Republic of Texas without the azure background. The Texas coat of arms is used exclusively as a symbol of the state, coats of arms of the U. S. states
2.
Motto
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A motto is a maxim, a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of an individual, family, social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin has been widely used, especially in the Western world. In heraldry, a motto is depicted below the shield in a banderole, this placement stems from the Middle Ages, in which the vast majority of nobles possessed a coat of arms. In the case of Scottish heraldry it is mandated to appear above the crest, spanish coats of arms may display a motto in the bordure of the shield. In heraldic literature, the rallying cry respectively battle banner are also common, which date back to the battle cry. In English heraldry mottos are not granted with armorial bearings, in Scottish heraldry, mottos can only be changed by re-matriculation, with the Lord Lyon King of Arms. Although very unusual and perhaps outside standard heraldic practice, there are examples of the particular appearance of the motto scroll. Ships and submarines in the Royal Navy each have a badge and motto, Latin has been very common for mottos, but for nation states their official language is generally chosen. A canting motto is one that contains word play, for example, the motto of the Earl of Onslow is Festina lente, punningly interpreting on-slow. In literature, a motto is a sentence, phrase, poem, or word prefixed to an essay, chapter, novel and it is a short, suggestive expression of a guiding principle for the written material that follows. For example, Robert Louis Stevensons Travels with a Donkey in the Cévennes uses mottos at the start of each section, epigram Hendiatris Inscription List of Latin phrases List of mottos List of national mottos Slogan Tagline United in diversity United we stand, divided we fall
3.
Texas Legislative Medal of Honor
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The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration that may be awarded to a member of the Texas Military Forces. This includes Texas Air National Guard, Texas Army National Guard and this medal may only be awarded to federal military personnel, or state military personnel who serve in the Armed Forces of the State of Texas. This medal takes precedence over the Lone Star Medal of Valor, the Texas legislative Medal of Honor was created for those individuals who served in the Texas National Guard and who received the Medal of Honor. The following is an excerpt from the Texas Government Code, Title 4, Subtitle C, Chapter 431, Subchapter J. Awards, awarding of the medal shall be considered on the standard of extraordinary merit. The medal may be awarded only on incontestable proof of performance of the deed, initially, the law permitted one person to be selected from various nominees for the award by a 5-member nominating committee every two years since 1997. The committee chairs serving on the committee shall jointly prepare a concurrent resolution directing the governor to award the medal to a person nominated. The legislature may direct the medal to be awarded only during a regular session, the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor recipients,1997, United States Army Technical Sergeant James M. Logan, 36th Infantry Division, World War II, presented posthumously. 1999, United States Army First Lieutenant Jack L. Knight, 124th Cavalry Regiment/Mars Task Force, KIA-World War II,2001, United States Army Master Sergeant Roy P. Benavidez, 5th Special Forces Group, Vietnam, presented posthumously. 2003, United States Army Colonel M B Etheredge, 3rd Infantry Division,2005, United States Army Captain Robert Thomas Edlin, 2nd Ranger Battalion, World War II, presented posthumously. 2007, United States Marine Corps, Sergeant Alfredo Cantu Freddy Gonzalez, 1st Marine Division, KIA-Vietnam,2009, United States Army Private Pedro Cano, 4th Infantry Division, World War II, presented posthumously. 2011, United States Marine Corps Corporal Roy Cisneros, 3rd Marine Division, KIA-Vietnam,2013, United States Army 2nd Lt. Darryn Deen Andrews, 501st Parachute Regiment, KIA-Afghanistan, presented posthumously. 2013, United States Army Major Audie Leon Murphy, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, World War II,2015, United States Navy Chief Petty Officer Chris Kyle, Naval Special Warfare Group 1, SEAL Team 3, Iraq War, awarded posthumously. 2015, United States Army Air Forces Lieutenant Colonel William Edwin Dyess, 21st Pursuit Squadron, World War II, Logan, Benavidez, Knight, Gonzalez, and Murphy were also prior recipients of the Medal of Honor. Edlin, Cano and Dyess were recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross, cisnernos was recipient of the Navy Cross. Etheredge was the recipient of 3 Silver Stars and Andrews one Silver Star, recipients by war, World War II -7 Korean War -0 Vietnam War -3 Gulf War -0 Iraq War -1 Afghanistan War -1 Photo of Medal
4.
Texas
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Texas is the second largest state in the United States by both area and population. Other major cities include Austin, the second most populous state capital in the U. S. Texas is nicknamed the Lone Star State to signify its former status as an independent republic, and as a reminder of the states struggle for independence from Mexico. The Lone Star can be found on the Texan state flag, the origin of Texass name is from the word Tejas, which means friends in the Caddo language. Due to its size and geologic features such as the Balcones Fault, although Texas is popularly associated with the U. S. southwestern deserts, less than 10 percent of Texas land area is desert. Most of the centers are located in areas of former prairies, grasslands, forests. Traveling from east to west, one can observe terrain that ranges from coastal swamps and piney woods, to rolling plains and rugged hills, the term six flags over Texas refers to several nations that have ruled over the territory. Spain was the first European country to claim the area of Texas, Mexico controlled the territory until 1836 when Texas won its independence, becoming an independent Republic. In 1845, Texas joined the United States as the 28th state, the states annexation set off a chain of events that caused the Mexican–American War in 1846. A slave state before the American Civil War, Texas declared its secession from the U. S. in early 1861, after the Civil War and the restoration of its representation in the federal government, Texas entered a long period of economic stagnation. One Texan industry that thrived after the Civil War was cattle, due to its long history as a center of the industry, Texas is associated with the image of the cowboy. The states economic fortunes changed in the early 20th century, when oil discoveries initiated a boom in the state. With strong investments in universities, Texas developed a diversified economy, as of 2010 it shares the top of the list of the most Fortune 500 companies with California at 57. With a growing base of industry, the leads in many industries, including agriculture, petrochemicals, energy, computers and electronics, aerospace. Texas has led the nation in export revenue since 2002 and has the second-highest gross state product. The name Texas, based on the Caddo word tejas meaning friends or allies, was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves, during Spanish colonial rule, the area was officially known as the Nuevo Reino de Filipinas, La Provincia de Texas. Texas is the second largest U. S. state, behind Alaska, though 10 percent larger than France and almost twice as large as Germany or Japan, it ranks only 27th worldwide amongst country subdivisions by size. If it were an independent country, Texas would be the 40th largest behind Chile, Texas is in the south central part of the United States of America. Three of its borders are defined by rivers, the Rio Grande forms a natural border with the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas to the south
5.
Constitution of Texas
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The Constitution of the State of Texas is the document that describes the structure and function of the government of the U. S. state of Texas. The current document took effect on February 15,1876, and is the constitution in Texas history. The previous six were adopted in 1827,1836,1845,1861,1866 and 1869, the current constitution is among the longest of state constitutions in the United States. Most of the amendments are due to the highly restrictive nature. However, despite its length, it is not nearly as long as the Alabama Constitution nor the California Constitution, as with many state constitutions, it explicitly provides for the separation of powers and incorporates its bill of rights directly into the text of the constitution. The bill of rights is considerably lengthier and more detailed than the federal Bill of Rights, Article 1 is the Texas Constitutions bill of rights. The article originally contained 29 sections, four sections have since been added, some of the articles provisions concern specific fundamental limitations on the power of the state. The provisions of the Texas Constitution apply only against the government of Texas, however, a number of the provisions of the U. S. Constitution are held to apply to the states as well, under the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution. Section 4 purports to prohibit office holders from the requirements of any religious test, Section 32 denies state recognition to same-sex unions, a practice which was invalidated as a consequence of Obergefell v. Hodges. Article 2 provides for the separation of powers of the legislative, executive, Article 3 vests the legislative power of the state in the Legislature of the State of Texas, consisting of the states Senate and House of Representatives. It also lists the qualifications required of senators and representatives, as with the United States Constitution, either house may originate bills, but bills to raise revenue must originate in the House of Representatives. Section 39 allows a bill to take effect immediately upon the Governors signature if the bill passes both chambers by a vote, unless otherwise specified in the bill. If the bill does not pass by this majority it takes effect on the first day of the fiscal year. Section 66 created the states Rainy Day Fund, the article contains many substantive limitations on the power of the legislature and a large number of exceptions to those limitations. This is especially true within Section 49, Article 4 describes the powers and duties of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Comptroller, Commissioner of the General Land Office, and Attorney General. With the exception of the Secretary of State the above officials are elected in what is known as a plural executive system. Under Section 16 of this article, the Lieutenant Governor automatically assumes the power of Governor if, Article 6 denies voting rights to minors, felons, and people who are deemed mentally incompetent by a court
6.
Republic of Texas
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The Republic of Texas was an independent sovereign country in North America that existed from March 2,1836, to February 19,1846. The citizens of the republic were known as Texians, the Mexican province of Tejas declared its independence from Mexico during the Texas Revolution in 1836. The United States recognized the Republic of Texas in March 1837, the Republic-claimed borders were based upon the Treaties of Velasco between the newly created Texas Republic and Antonio López de Santa Anna of Mexico. The republics southern and western boundary with Mexico continued to be disputed throughout the republics existence, Texas claimed the Rio Grande as its southern boundary, while Mexico insisted that the Nueces River was the boundary. However, the United States again inherited the southern and western border dispute with Mexico, Texas had been one of the Provincias Internas of New Spain, a region known historiographically as Spanish Texas. Though claimed by Spain, it was not formally colonized by them until competing French interests at Fort St. Louis encouraged Spain to establish permanent settlements in the area. Sporadic missionary incursions occurred into the area during the period from the 1690s–1710s, in 1762, France ceded to Spain most of its claims to the interior of North America, including its claim to Texas, as well as the vast interior that became Spanish Louisiana. During the years 1799 to 1803, the height of the Napoleonic Empire, Spain returned Louisiana back to France, starting in 1810, the territories of New Spain north of the Isthmus of Panama sought independence in the Mexican War of Independence. Many Americans fought on the side of Mexico against Spain in filibustering expeditions, one of these, the Gutiérrez–Magee Expedition consisted of a group of about 130 Americans under the leadership of Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara. Gutierrez de Lara initiated Mexicos secession from Spain with efforts contributed by Magee, bolstered by new recruits, and led Samuel Kemper, the expedition gained a series of victories against soldiers led by the Spanish governor, Manuel María de Salcedo. Their victory at the Battle of Rosillo Creek convinced Salcedo to surrender on April 1,1813, on April 6,1813, the victorious Republican Army of the North drafted a constitution and declared the independent Republic of Texas, with Gutiérrez as its president. Soon disillusioned with the Mexican leadership, the Americans under Kemper returned to the United States, the ephemeral Republic of Texas came to an end following the August 18,1813 Battle of Medina, where the Spanish Army crushed the Republican Army of the North. Since Mexican independence had been ratified by Spain shortly thereafter, Austin would later travel to Mexico City to secure the support of the new country in his right to settle. The establishment of Mexican Texas coincided with the Austin-led settlement, leading to animosity between Mexican authorities and ongoing American settlement of Texas, the First Mexican Empire was short lived, being replaced by a republican form of government in 1823. Following Austins lead, additional groups of settlers, known as Empresarios, in 1830, Mexican President Anastasio Bustamante outlawed American immigration to Texas, following several conflicts with the Empresarios over the status of slavery in the region. Angered at the interference of the Mexican government, the Empresarios held the Convention of 1832, on the eve of war, the American settlers in the area outnumbered Mexicans by a considerable margin. Mexican President Antonio López de Santa Anna revoked the 1824 Constitution of Mexico, the Texian leadership under Austin began to organize its own military, and hostilities broke out on October 2,1835 at the Battle of Gonzales, the first engagement of the Texas Revolution. In November,1835 a provisional government known as the Consultation was established to oppose the Santa Anna regime, on March 1,1836 the Convention of 1836 came to order, and the next day declared independence from Mexico, establishing the Republic of Texas
7.
Round Rock, Texas
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Round Rock is a city in the U. S. state of Texas, located in Williamson County, which is a part of the Greater Austin, Texas metropolitan area. The population was 99,887 at the 2010 census, located about 20 miles north of downtown Austin, Round Rock shares a common border with Austin at Texas State Highway 45. In August 2008, Money magazine named Round Rock as the seventh-best American small city in which to live, Round Rock was the only Texas city to make the Top 10. In a CNN article dated July 1,2009, Round Rock was listed as the second fastest-growing city in the country, Round Rock has a strong public education system. According to the 2008 ratings from the Texas Education Agency, the Round Rock Independent School District ranks among the best in the state, of 42 schools within it, twelve were rated exemplary and eleven are recognized. Round Rock is perhaps best known as the headquarters of Dell. Round Rock and Williamson County have been the site of habitation since at least 9,200 BC. One of the most important discoveries in recent times is that of the ancient skeletal remains dubbed The Leanderthal Lady because of its age and proximity to Leander, Texas. The site is 4 miles west of Round Rock and was discovered by accident by Texas Department of Transportation workers while drilling core samples for a new highway. The site has been studied for many years and samples carbon date to this particular Pleistocene period at approximately 10,500 years ago. These archeology dig sites show a greater volume United Sates of America evidence of Archaic Period inhabitants based on relics. During the 18th century they made the transition to a horse culture, there also appear to have been small numbers of Kiowa, Yojuane, Tawakoni, and Mayeye Native-Americans living in the county at the time of the earliest Anglo settlements. After they were crowded out by white settlement, the Comanches continued to raid settlements in the county until the 1860s, in the late 19th century, Native Americans were being pushed out of Central Texas. As the area developed into a rural Anglo community, some of the paved roads actually followed the original Native-American pathways. One famous immigration route passed through Round Rock and is called the Double File Trail because the path was wide enough for two horsemen to ride side-by-side. It is part of a trail from north Texas that crossed the San Gabriel River in Georgetown, Brushy Creek in Round Rock. An elementary school in the Round Rock school district is named for the trail, in 1851, a small community was formed on the banks of Brushy Creek, near a large round and anvil-shaped rock located in the middle of the creek. This round rock marked a convenient low-water crossing for wagons, horses, the first postmaster called the community Brushy, and the creek was called Brushy Creek
8.
Secretary of State of Texas
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The Texas Secretary of State is one of the six members of the executive department of the state of Texas, in the United States. Under the Texas Constitution, the appointment is made by the Governor, rolando Pablos is the 111th person to hold the office. He was appointed by Greg Abbott, and sworn in on January 6,2017, the Secretary of State is the chief elections officer, the protocol officer for state and international matters, and the liaison for the governor on Mexican and border matters. The SOS elections office is on the floor of the Thomas Jefferson Rusk State Office Building at 208 East 10th Street. The executive offices are in Room 1E.8 in the Texas State Capitol, of these offices all are elected by the voters in statewide elections except the Secretary of State, who is nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. The Secretary of State administers the Texas Election Code, maintains public filings, the first Secretary of State of the Republic of Texas, Stephen F. Austin, was appointed by Texas President Sam Houston in 1836. Since then, Texas became a state of the United States in 1845, list of company registers Secretary of State of Texas
9.
Obverse and reverse
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In this usage, obverse means the front face of the object and reverse means the back face. The obverse of a coin is commonly called heads, because it depicts the head of a prominent person. In fields of scholarship outside numismatics, the front is more commonly used than obverse. For prints and drawings with material on both sides the one judged as more significant will be the recto, a convention now exists typically to display the obverse to the left and the reverse to the right in photographs and museum displays, but this is not invariably observed. Following this principle, in the most famous of ancient Greek coins, the tetradrachm of Athens, the obverse is the head of Athena, similar versions of these two images, both symbols of the state, were used on the Athenian coins for more than two centuries. The opposite side may have varied from time to time and this change happened in the coinage of Alexander the Great, which continued to be minted long after his death. The various Hellenistic rulers who were his successors followed his tradition and this script alone style then was used on nearly all Islamic coinage until the modern period. The type of Justinian II was revived after the end of Iconoclasm, without images, therefore, it is not always easy to tell which side will be regarded as the obverse without some knowledge. After 695, Islamic coins avoided all images of persons and usually, the side expressing the Six Kalimas is usually defined as the obverse. The form of currency follows its function, which is to serve as an accepted medium of exchange of value. Traditionally, most states have been monarchies where the person of the monarch, if not provided for on the obverse, the reverse side usually contains information relating to a coins role as medium of exchange. Additional space typically reflects the countrys culture or government, or evokes some aspect of the states territory. Regarding the euro, some regarding the obverse and reverse of the euro coins exists. This rule does not apply to the coins as they dont have a common side. A number of the used for obverse national sides of euro coins were taken from the reverse of the old pre-euro coins of some individual countries. Several countries continue to use portraits of the monarch and the Republic of Ireland continues to use the State Arms. The Chrysanthemum Crest was no longer used after the war, and so, the side on which the date continues to be regarded as the reverse. Following ancient tradition, the obverse of coins of the United Kingdom almost always feature the head of the monarch
10.
Olive
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Olea europeana sylvestris is a subspecies that corresponds to a smaller tree bearing noticeably smaller fruits. The olives fruit, also called the olive, is of agricultural importance in the Mediterranean region as the source of olive oil. The tree and its fruit give their name to the plant family, which includes species such as lilacs, jasmine, Forsythia. The word derives from Latin ŏlīva a borrowing from the Greek ἐλαία, the oldest attested forms of the Greek words are the Mycenaean
11.
Live oak
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Live oak or evergreen oak is a general term for a number of unrelated oaks in several different sections of the genus Quercus that share the characteristic of evergreen foliage. The name live oak comes from the fact that evergreen oaks remain green and live throughout winter, evergreen oak species are also common in parts of southern Europe and Asia, and are included in this list for the sake of completeness. These species, although not having live in their names in their countries of origin, are colloquially called live oaks when cultivated in North America. The southern live oak is the state tree of Georgia. In Texas, a grove of live oaks is known as a mott. Live oak was used in early American butt shipbuilding. Because of the short height and low-hanging branches, lumber from live oak was specifically used to make curved structural members of the hull. In such cuts of lumber, the line of the grain would fall perpendicularly to lines of stress, Live oaks were not generally used for planking because the curved and often convoluted shape of the tree did not lend itself to be milled to planking of any length. Live oak lumber is used for furniture due to warping and twisting while drying. Dry southern live oak lumber has a gravity of 0.88. Images of remarkable Southern Live Oaks The 1000 Year Old Big Tree - Goose Island State Park Live Oak in California The William Adkins Live Oak Tree historical marker
12.
Battle of Gonzales
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The Battle of Gonzales was the first military engagement of the Texas Revolution. It was fought near Gonzales, Texas, on October 2,1835, in 1831, Mexican authorities gave the settlers of Gonzales a small cannon to help protect them from frequent Comanche raids. Over the next four years, the situation in Mexico deteriorated. When the initial request was refused, Ugartechea sent 100 dragoons to retrieve the cannon, the soldiers neared Gonzales on September 29, but the colonists used a variety of excuses to keep them from the town, while secretly sending messengers to request assistance from nearby communities. Within two days, up to 140 Texians gathered in Gonzales, all determined not to give up the cannon, on October 1, settlers voted to initiate a fight. Mexican soldiers opened fire as Texians approached their camp in the hours of October 2. After several hours of firing, the Mexican soldiers withdrew. Although the skirmish had little significance, it marked a clear break between the colonists and the Mexican government and is considered to have been the start of the Texas Revolution. News of the spread throughout the United States, where it was often referred to as the Lexington of Texas. It may have buried and rediscovered in 1936, or it may have been seized by Mexican troops after the Battle of the Alamo. The Mexican Constitution of 1824 liberalized the countrys immigration policies, allowing foreigners to settle in regions such as Mexican Texas. In 1825, American Green DeWitt received permission to settle 400 families in Texas near the confluence of the San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers. The DeWitt Colony quickly became a favorite raiding target of local Karankawa, Tonkawa, and Comanche tribes, the town was rebuilt the following year, after DeWitt negotiated peace treaties with the Karankawa and Tonkawa. The Comanche continued to stage raids of the settlement over the next few years. During the 1830s, the Mexican government wavered between federalist and centralist policies, as the pendulum swung sharply towards centralism in 1835, several Mexican states revolted. In June, a group of settlers in Texas used the political unrest as an excuse to rebel against customs duties. The federal government responded by sending troops to Texas. Some communities supported the rebellion for a variety of reasons, others, including Gonzales, declared their loyalty to Mexican President Antonio López de Santa Annas centralist government
13.
Alamo Mission in San Antonio
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The Alamo Mission in San Antonio is commonly called The Alamo and was originally known as Misión San Antonio de Valero. It was founded in the 18th century as a Roman Catholic mission and fortress compound and it was the site of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, and is now a museum in the Alamo Plaza Historic District. The compound was one of the early Spanish missions in Texas, the mission was secularized in 1793 and then abandoned. Ten years later, it became a housing the Second Flying Company of San Carlos de Parras military unit. During the Texas Revolution, Mexican General Martin Perfecto de Cos surrendered the fort to the Texian Army in December 1835, a relatively small number of Texian soldiers then occupied the compound for several months. They were wiped out at the Battle of the Alamo on March 6,1836, when the Mexican army retreated from Texas several months later, they tore down many of the Alamo walls and burned some of the buildings. For the next five years, the Alamo was periodically used to garrison soldiers, in 1849, several years after Texas was annexed to the United States, the U. S. Army began renting the facility for use as a quartermasters depot. The U. S. Army abandoned the mission in 1876 after nearby Fort Sam Houston was established, the Alamo chapel was sold to the state of Texas, which conducted occasional tours but made no effort to restore it. The remaining buildings were sold to a company which operated them as a wholesale grocery store. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas formed in 1895 and began trying to preserve the Alamo, Adina Emilia De Zavala and Clara Driscoll successfully convinced the state legislature in 1905 to purchase the remaining buildings and to name the DRT as the permanent custodian of the site. Over the next century, periodic attempts were made to control of the Alamo from the DRT. In early 2015, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush officially removed control of the Alamo to the Texas General Land Office, the Alamo and the four missions in the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park were designated UNESCO World Heritage sites on July 5,2015. In 1716, the Spanish government established several Roman Catholic missions in East Texas, the isolation of the missions—the nearest Spanish settlement, San Juan Bautista, Coahuila was over 400 miles away—made it difficult to keep them adequately provisioned. To assist the missionaries, the new governor of Spanish Texas, Martín de Alarcón, in April 1718, Alarcón led an expedition to found a new community in Texas. On May 1, the group erected a temporary mud, brush, one mile north of the mission, Alarcón built a presidio, the Presidio San Antonio de Bexar. Close by, he founded the first civilian community in Texas, within a year, the mission moved to the western bank of the river, where it was less likely to flood. Over the next years, a chain of missions were established nearby. In 1724, after remants of a Gulf Coast hurricane destroyed the structures at Mission San Antonio de Valero
14.
Six flags over Texas
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This slogan has been incorporated into shopping malls, theme parks, and other enterprises. The six flags are shown on the reverse of the Seal of Texas. In 1997 the Texas Historical Commission adopted standard designs for representing the six flags, the first flag belonged to Spain, which ruled most of Texas from 1519 to 1685 and 1690 to 1821. There were two versions of the Spanish flag used during this period, both designs incorporate the castle and lion emblems of the Crown of Castile. This flag was used by Spain from 1793 to 1931, the second flag was the royal banner of the Kingdom of France from 1684 to 1690. In 1684, French nobleman René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, the colony was unsuccessful, and after La Salles murder, was soon abandoned. During this time, there was no official French flag, so a number of designs are used in displays of the six flags, later on in 1800, Spain ceded Louisiana to France under the Third Treaty of San Ildefonso. French Louisiana included northern sections of Texas and it remained in the hands of France until 1803, when France sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States. However, what would later be northern Texas was sold back to Spain years later, the third flag flown was the flag of Mexico. Mexicos independence was recognized by Spain in 1821, the Mexican flag displayed in the Austin Capitol is the one of the Mexican Republic of 1823 through 1864. This flag was in use in Texas until its independence from Mexico in 1836, the fourth flag belonged to the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1845. The Republic had two national flags during its history, the first being the so-called Burnet Flag, the Lone Star Flag, the final national flag, became the state flag when Texas joined the United States as a U. S. state in 1845. The fifth and current flag is that of the United States of America, upon secession Texas abandoned this flag for its sixth, until readmission to the Union in 1865. The sixth flag belonged to the Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865, during this time, the Confederacy had three national flags
15.
Battle of the Alamo
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The Battle of the Alamo was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar, Santa Annas cruelty during the battle inspired many Texians—both Texas settlers and adventurers from the United States—to join the Texian Army. Buoyed by a desire for revenge, the Texians defeated the Mexican Army at the Battle of San Jacinto, on April 21,1836, several months previously, Texians had driven all Mexican troops out of Mexican Texas. About 100 Texians were then garrisoned at the Alamo, the Texian force grew slightly with the arrival of reinforcements led by eventual Alamo co-commanders James Bowie and William B. On February 23, approximately 1,500 Mexicans marched into San Antonio de Béxar as the first step in a campaign to retake Texas, for the next 10 days, the two armies engaged in several skirmishes with minimal casualties. Aware that his garrison could not withstand an attack by such a force, Travis wrote multiple letters pleading for more men and supplies. In the early morning hours of March 6, the Mexican Army advanced on the Alamo, after repelling two attacks, the Texians were unable to fend off a third attack. As Mexican soldiers scaled the walls, most of the Texian soldiers withdrew into interior buildings, Defenders unable to reach these points were slain by the Mexican cavalry as they attempted to escape. Between five and seven Texians may have surrendered, if so, most eyewitness accounts reported between 182 and 257 Texians died, while most historians of the Alamo agree that around 600 Mexicans were killed or wounded. Several noncombatants were sent to Gonzales to spread word of the Texian defeat, within Mexico, the battle has often been overshadowed by events from the Mexican–American War of 1846–48. In 19th-century Texas, the Alamo complex gradually became known as a battle rather than a former mission. The Texas Legislature purchased the land and buildings in the part of the 20th century. The Alamo is now the most popular tourist site in Texas, the Alamo has been the subject of numerous non-fiction works beginning in 1843. Under President Antonio López de Santa Anna, the Mexican government began to shift away from a federalist model, the increasingly dictatorial policies, including the revocation of the Constitution of 1824 in early 1835, incited many federalists to revolt. The border region of Mexican Texas was largely populated by immigrants from the United States and these people were accustomed to a federalist government and to extensive individual rights, and they were quite vocal in their displeasure at Mexicos shift towards centralism. In October, Texians engaged Mexican troops in the first official battle of the Texas Revolution, determined to quell the rebellion, Santa Anna began assembling a large force, the Army of Operations in Texas, to restore order. Most of his soldiers were raw recruits, and a number had been forcibly conscripted. The Texians systematically defeated the Mexican troops already stationed in Texas, the last group of Mexican soldiers in the region—commanded by Santa Annas brother-in-law, General Martín Perfecto de Cos—surrendered on December 9 following the siege of Béxar
16.
Quercus stellata
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Quercus stellata is a North American species of oak in the white oak section. Quercus stellata is a slow growing oak that lives in dry soils, and is resistant to rot, fire. Interbreeding occurs among white oaks thus many hybrid species combinations occur, Quercus stellata is native to the eastern and central United States, and found in all the coastal states from Massachusetts to Texas, and as far inland as Nebraska. It is identifiable by the cross like shape formed by the leaf lobes. Quercus stellata is a small tree, typically 10–15 meters tall and trunk 30–60 cm in diameter. The leaves have a distinctive shape, with three perpendicular terminal lobes, shaped much like a Maltese Cross. They are leathery, and tomentose beneath, the branching pattern of this tree often gives it a rugged appearance. The acorns are 1. 5–2 cm long, and are mature in their first summer, the specific epithet stellata is latin for star it is named this because the trichome hairs on the bottom of the leaves, are stellate or star shaped. There are several variants of Quercus stellata named by American botanist Charles Sprague Sargent and they are both in a section of Quercus called the white oaks. In the white oak section Quercus stellata is sister taxa with the Quercus alba, Quercus stellata is sold and distributed as white oak. One identifiable difference between the two trees is that Q. stellata is hairy on the underside of the leaf, Quercus stellata is found in southeastern America, in the coast states from Massachusetts, to Texas, and inland to Iowa. Normally found at the edge of a forest It typically grows in dry sandy areas, because of its ability to grow in dry sites, attractive crown, and strong horizontal branches it is used in urban forestry. It is resistant to decay so it is used for ties, siding, planks, construction timbers, stair risers and treads, flooring, pulp, veneer, particle boards, fuel. It is used for food for deer, turkey, squirrels, and other rodents. Quercus stellata has evolved to survive fires by having thicker bark, Quercus stellata is useful for fire surveys where the tree rings are used to get a fire history of an area. IPNI Kew Flora of North America Plants. USDA
17.
Governor of Texas
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The Governor of Texas is the head of the executive branch of Texass government and the commander-in-chief of the states military forces. The governor has the power to approve or veto bills passed by the Texas Legislature. The governor may grant pardons in cases other than impeachment or in the case of treason, the current Governor is Greg Abbott. The states first constitution in 1845 established the office of governor, the 1861 secessionist constitution set the term start date at the first Monday in the November following the election. The Reconstruction constitution of 1869 removed the limit on terms, Texas remains one of 14 states with no term limit. The present constitution of 1876 shortened terms back to two years, but a 1972 amendment increased it again to four years, the gubernatorial election is held every four years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November and does not coincide with the presidential elections. Despite the lack of limits, no Texas governor in the 19th or 20th centuries ever served more than seven. Former Governor Rick Perry, who served from 2000 to 2015, has now surpassed both records, becoming the first Texas governor to serve three consecutive terms. When Perry won the election on November 2,2010, he joined Shivers, Price Daniel. In case of a vacancy in the office of governor, the lieutenant governor becomes governor, one governor of Texas won his partys nomination and was elected President of the United States, George W
18.
Lieutenant Governor of Texas
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The Lieutenant Governor of Texas is the second-highest executive office in the government of Texas, a state in the U. S. It is the second most powerful post in Texas government because its occupant controls the work of the Texas Senate, under the provisions of the Texas Constitution, the Lieutenant Governor is President of the Texas Senate. The Lieutenant Governor decides all questions of procedure in the Senate. He or she also has discretion in following Senate procedural rules. The Lieutenant Governor is an ex member of several statutory bodies. A Senator elected as presiding officer in this way retains his district seat, the Lieutenant Governor is sworn-in on the third Tuesday every four years, the same as the Governor. Dan Patrick has been the Lieutenant Governor of Texas since January 20,2015, the term of office was two years from 1846 to 1972. Voters then increased it to four years, effective for the 1974 election, the Lieutenant Governor assumes the powers of the Governor of Texas when the governor is out of the state or otherwise unable to discharge the office. The Lieutenant Governor becomes Governor if the elected Governor resigns, dies or is removed from office via impeachment, former Governor Rick Perry took office upon George W. Bushs resignation on December 21,2000. Bush became US President on January 20,2001, Texas is one of the few states that vests significant power in the office of lieutenant governor, making it among the most influential. By contrast, the lieutenant governor position in other states has few legislative responsibilities, the consequence is that the Governor of Texas is weaker than other states governors. List of Lieutenant Governors of Texas Duties and Powers of the Lieutenant Governor
19.
Texas Senate
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The Texas Senate is the upper house of the Texas State Legislature. There are 31 members of the Senate, representing single-member districts across the U. S. state of Texas, with populations of approximately 806,000 per constituency, there are no term limits, and each term is four years long. Elections are held in even numbered years on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, in elections ending in years ending in 2, all seats are up for election. Half of the senators serve a two-year term, based on a drawing. As such, in elections, about half of the Texas Senate is on the ballot. The Senate meets at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, the Republicans currently control the chamber, which is made up of 20 Republicans and 11 Democrats, as of January 10,2017. The Lieutenant Governor of Texas serves as the President of the Senate, the Lieutenant Governor may also cast a vote should a Senate floor vote end in a tie. Unlike other state legislatures, the Texas Senate does not include majority or minority leaders, instead, the President Pro Tempore is considered the second most powerful position, and can be reserved to any political party in the chamber regardless if the party is a majority or not. Presidents Pro Tempore are usually the most senior members of the Senate, the President Pro Tempore presides when the Lieutenant Governor is not present or when the legislature is not in regular session. For the 82nd Legislative Session, which began in 2011, there were two new, or freshman, senators, Brian Birdwell, a Republican from Granbury, and José R. Rodríguez. For the 83rd Legislative Session, which began in 2013, there were six new senators, including Sylvia Garcia, for this term of the Legislature the President of the Senate is Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. The President Pro Tempore is Republican Craig Estes of District 30, Senator John Whitmire, a Democrat from Houston, is the Dean of the Senate, meaning he is the most senior member, having served since 1987. Senator Chris Harris, a Republican from Arlington, is the most senior member of his party, new senators elected in 2014 are Bob Hall, Paul Bettencourt, Van Taylor, Don Huffines, and Konni Burton, all Republicans. There have been at least three cases of quorum-busting in Texas Senate history. The first case was in 1870, with the Rump Senate, followed by the 1979 killer bees and finally the Texas Eleven in the summer of 2003, the following represents the Senate committee structure for the 85th Legislature. †Elected in a special election Edward Clark, Lieutenant Governor of Texas, wayne Connally, Senator from Wilson County, brother of Governor John Connally. Lloyd Doggett, Texas Supreme Court Justice, U. S. House of Representatives, robert L. Duncan, State Senator from Lubbock, 1996-2014, Chancellor of the Texas Tech University System since 2014 Chet Edwards, U. S. House of Representatives. Glenn Hegar, current Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, John Ireland, Texas Supreme Court Justice, Governor of Texas
20.
Texas House of Representatives
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The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Texas Legislature. It consists of 150 members who are elected from districts for a term of 2 years. As of the 2010 Census, each represents a average of 167,637 people. There are no limits, with the most senior member, Tom Craddick. The House meets at the State Capitol in Austin, the Speaker of the House is the presiding officer and highest-ranking member of the House. The Speaker pro tempore is primarily a position, but does, by long-standing tradition, preside over the House during its consideration of local. Unlike other state legislatures, the House rules do not formally recognize majority or minority leaders, the unofficial leaders are the Republican Caucus Chairman and the Democratic House Leader, both of whom are elected by their respective caucuses. †Representative was first elected in a special election, eligio De La Garza, II, first Mexican-American to represent his region in the US House and the second Mexican-American from Texas to be elected to Congress. Ray Barnhart, Federal Highway Administrator Anita Lee Blair, first blind woman elected to a state legislature Jack Brooks, Representative and House Majority Leader John Nance Garner, U. S. Representative, Speaker of the House, and Vice President of the United States O. H. Ike Harris, Dallas County representative from 1963–1965, state senator Sarah T, charles Henry Nimitz Born in Bremen. In 1852, built the Nimitz Hotel in Fredericksburg, which now houses the National Museum of the Pacific War, grandfather of United States Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz. Elected to the Texas Legislature 1890, rick Perry, longest serving Governor of Texas, Colonel Alfred P. C. Petsch Lawyer, legislator, civic leader, and philanthropist, veteran of both World War I and World War II. Representative and longest served Speaker of the House Coke R. Stevenson, Governor of Texas Sarah Weddington, weinert, coauthored bill to establish the Pasteur Institute of Texas, authored resolution for humane treatment of state convicts, coauthored the indeterminate sentence and parole law. The Chief Clerk is the custodian of all legal documents within House. When there is an update of the electronic source website. The report noted how representatives register votes for absent members on the Houses automated voting machines, each representative would vote for the nearest absent members. This practice was in violation of a Rule of the House, however
21.
Texas Attorney General
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The Texas Attorney General is the chief legal and law enforcement officer of the State of Texas. The department has offices at the William P. Clements State Office Building in Downtown Austin, the Office of the Attorney General was first established by executive ordinance of the Republic of Texas government in 1836. The attorneys general of the Republic of Texas and the first four attorneys general under the 1845 state constitution were appointed by the governor, the office was made elective in 1850 by constitutional amendment. The Attorney General is elected to a four-year term, in 2013, former Attorney General Greg Abbott announced he would not seek reelection and would run for Governor. In November 2014, he was elected as the Governor of Texas, ken Paxton defeated former House Representative Dan Branch in the Republican primary by a 26% margin and was elected easily in the general election as the 50th Attorney General of Texas. Ken Paxton was sworn in on January 5,2015 in the Senate Chamber in the Texas Capitol, the Attorney General is charged by the state constitution to defend the laws and constitution of Texas, represent the state in litigation, and approve public bond issues. There are nearly 2,000 references to the Office of the Attorney General in state laws and these duties include representing the Director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in appeals from criminal convictions in federal courts. In addition, the Law Enforcement Division is the state of Texas liaison to Interpol, the office is also charged with proceedings to secure child support through its Child Support Division. The Attorney General table is in code, Blue, pink. The names of the general are blue for links to existing Wikipedia content. Many leading political figures in Texas history have served as Attorney General, several of them using the office as a jumping off place to other offices in the state and national government. Attorneys general James S. Hogg, Charles A. Culberson, Dan Moody, James Allred, Price Daniel, Mark White, Culberson, Daniel, and John Cornyn were later elected to the United States Senate. Justia. com U. S
22.
Harris County, Texas
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Harris County is a county located in the U. S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 census, the population was 4,092,459, making it the most populous county in Texas and its county seat is Houston, the largest city in Texas and fourth-largest city in the United States. The county was founded in 1836 and organized in 1837 and it is named for John Richardson Harris, an early settler of the area. By the July 2016 Census Bureau estimate Harris Countys population had grown to 4,589,928, Harris County is included in the Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land Metropolitan Statistical Area. John Richardson Harris, early Harris County settler and founder of Harrisburg, on May 7,1813, he married Jane Birdsall. John and Jane Birdsall Harris settled near Waterloo, New York, in 1819 they were living in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, where their daughter Mary Jane Harris Briscoe was born, a third son, John Birdsall Harris, was born in 1821. Genevieve Harris met Moses Austin and decided to move to Texas and he came to Texas in his own vessel in 1824 and received title to 4,428 acres of land at the junction of Brays and Buffalo bayous in what is now Harris County. He boarded with William Scott while he built a house on the peninsula between the bayous and a store and warehouse on Buffalo Bayou, in 1826 he employed Francis W. Johnson to lay out the town of Harrisburg. With his brother David Harris, John Harris established a trading post at Bells Landing on the Brazos River. Their sloops and schooners plied between Texas and New Orleans, One of these vessels, the Rights of Man, carried eighty-four bales of cotton to New Orleans in 1828. Harris was building a steam sawmill-gristmill at Harrisburg in 1829, when he went to New Orleans to buy equipment, after his death on August 21,1829, his sawmill and shipping enterprise were operated by his brothers David, Samuel, and William Plunkett Harris. His widow and son DeWitt moved to Texas in 1833, the children came later. Litigation over Harriss estate prevented Harrisburg from becoming the seat of the new Texas government in 1836, when Houston was named instead. According to the U. S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 1,777 square miles. Both its total area and land area are larger than the state of Rhode Island. 6% of Harris Countys population, black Americans made up 18. 9% of the population. Native Americans made up 0. 7% of Harris Countys population, Asian Americans made up 6. 2% of the population. Pacific Islander Americans made up just 0. 1% of the population, individuals from other races made up 14. 3% of the population, people from two or more races made up 3. 2% of the countys population
23.
Flag of Texas
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The prominent single star on the Texas flag gives the flag itself the commonly-used name Lone Star Flag. The flag, flown at homes and businesses statewide, is popular among Texans and is treated with a great degree of reverence. The flag earned 8.13 out of 10 possible points, when Texas became the 28th state of the Union on December 29,1845, the national flag became the state flag. From 1879 until 1933 there was no state flag, although the Lone Star remained the de facto state flag. The actual designer of the flag is unknown, dr. Charles B. Stewart is credited with drawing the image used by the Third Congress when enacting the legislation adopting the flag, and Sen. William H. Wharton introduced the flag to Congress. The code also states that single star represents ALL of Texas and stands for our unity as one for God, State, the lone star is, in fact, an older symbol predating the flag which was used to symbolize Texans solidarity in declaring independence from Mexico. It is still today as a symbol of Texas independent spirit. Though this rebellion ultimately failed it served as an inspiration to the later Texas Revolution, the pledge of allegiance to the state flag is as follows, The pledge was instituted by the Texas Legislature in 1933, and originally referred to the Texas flag of 1836. In 1965, the error was corrected by deleting the words of 1836, in 2007, the phrase one state under God was added. The addition of under God has been challenged in court, though an injunction was denied. S. Flag at the door, with the exception being if the flags are at half mast or if the POW/MIA flag is being flown with the U. S. flag. State law also requires that the flag be flown at or near any International Port of Entry. When displayed vertically, the blue stripe should be at top and, from the perspective of an observer, the white stripe should be to the left of the red stripe. During revolutionary eras of Texas history, during the Spanish Texas period, Mexican Texas period, and the times of the Texas Revolution, the Lone Star and Stripes/Ensign of the First Texas Navy/War Ensign flag was widely used by both Texan land and naval forces. This flag was simply the United States flag with a Lone star in the canton and this flag echoes an earlier design, carried by the forces of James Long in failed 1819 and 1821 attempts to separate Texas from Spanish control. This earlier flag was exactly the same, save for the canton having a red rather than blue. There is evidence that the Lone Star and Stripes was used at the battles of Goliad, the Alamo, although interim President David Burnet issued a decree making the Lone Star and Stripes the first official flag of the Republic of Texas, it never became the legal national flag. It did remain the naval flag of Texas until annexation, and was noted for being beneficial to our Navy, despite its unofficial status, the flag remained well known inside the region and internationally as the symbol of Texas
24.
Collin County, Texas
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Collin County is a county in the U. S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 782,341, making it the seventh-most populous county in Texas. Collin County is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas Metropolitan Statistical Area, a small portion of the city of Dallas is in the county. Both the county and the county seat were named after Collin McKinney, one of the five men who drafted the Texas Declaration of Independence and the oldest of the 59 men who signed it. According to the U. S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 886 square miles, the population density was 580 people per square mile. There were 194,892 housing units at a density of 230 per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 81. 39% White,4. 79% Black or African American,0. 47% Native American,6. 92% Asian,0. 05% Pacific Islander,4. 26% from other races, and 2. 11% from two or more races. 10. 27% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race,22. 10% of all households were made up of individuals and 3. 10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the family size was 3.18. As of the 2010 census, there were about 4.4 same-sex couples per 1,000 households in the county. In the county, the population was out with 28. 70% under the age of 18,7. 40% from 18 to 24,37. 90% from 25 to 44,20. 70% from 45 to 64. The median age was 33 years, for every 100 females there were 99.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.80 males, the median income for a household in the county was $70,835, and the median income for a family was $81,856. Males had an income of $57,392 versus $36,604 for females. The per capita income for the county was $33,345, about 3. 30% of families and 4. 90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5. 10% of those under age 18 and 7. 10% of those age 65 or over. Based on median household income, as of 2006, Collin County is the second richest county in Texas after Fort Bend, however, Collin - like other Texas counties - has one of the nations highest property tax rates. In 2007, it was #21 for property taxes as percentage of the value on owner occupied housing. It also ranked in the Top 100 for amount of property taxes paid, part of this is due to the Robin Hood plan school financing system in Texas
25.
Symbols of the State of Texas
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The following is a list of symbols of the U. S. state of Texas. A pledge of allegiance to the Texas flag was established in 1933, Texas State Library and Archives Commission. 42 - The Official State Domino Game of Texas
26.
Seal (emblem)
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A seal is a device for making an impression in wax, clay, paper, or some other medium, including an embossment on paper, and is also the impression thus made. The original purpose was to authenticate a document, a wrapper for one such as a modern envelope, the seal-making device is also referred to as the seal matrix or die, the imprint it creates as the seal impression. In most traditional forms of dry seal the design on the matrix is in intaglio. The design on the impression will reverse that of the matrix and this will not be the case if paper is embossed from behind, where the matrix and impression read the same way, and both matrix and impression are in relief. However engraved gems were carved in relief, called cameo in this context. The process is essentially that of a mould and these pendent seal impressions dangled below the documents they authenticated, to which the attachment tag was sewn or otherwise attached. Some jurisdictions consider rubber stamps or specified signature-accompanying words such as seal or L. S. to be the equivalent of, i. e. an equally effective substitute for. In Europe, although coats of arms and heraldic badges may well feature in such contexts as well as on seals, the study of seals is known as sigillography or sphragistics. Seals were used in the earliest civilizations and are of importance in archaeology. In ancient Mesopotamia carved or engraved cylinder seals in stone or other materials were used and these could be rolled along to create an impression on clay, and used as labels on consignments of trade goods, or for other purposes. They are normally hollow and it is presumed that they were worn on a string or chain round the neck, many have only images, often very finely carved, with no writing, while others have both. From Ancient Egypt seals in the form of signet-rings, including some with the names of kings, have been found, recently, seals have come to light in South Arabia datable to the Himyarite age. One example shows a name written in Aramaic engraved in reverse so as to read correctly in the impression, from the beginning of the 3rd millennium BC until the Middle Ages, seals of various kinds were in production in the Aegean islands and mainland Greece. In the Early Minoan age these were formed of stone and ivory. By the Middle Minoan age a new set for seal forms, motifs, hard stone requires new rotary carving techniques. The Late Bronze Age is the par excellence of the lens-shaped seal and the seal ring. These were a luxury art form and became keenly collected. His collection fell as booty to Pompey the Great, who deposited it in a temple in Rome, engraved gems continued to be produced and collected until the 19th century
27.
U.S. state
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A U. S. state is a constituent political entity of the United States of America. There are 50 states, which are together in a union with each other. Each state holds administrative jurisdiction over a geographic territory. Due to the shared sovereignty between each state and the government, Americans are citizens of both the federal republic and of the state in which they reside. State citizenship and residency are flexible, and no government approval is required to move between states, except for persons covered by certain types of court orders. States range in population from just under 600,000 to over 39 million, four states use the term commonwealth rather than state in their full official names. States are divided into counties or county-equivalents, which may be assigned some local authority but are not sovereign. County or county-equivalent structure varies widely by state, State governments are allocated power by the people through their individual constitutions. All are grounded in principles, and each provides for a government. States possess a number of powers and rights under the United States Constitution, Constitution has been amended, and the interpretation and application of its provisions have changed. The general tendency has been toward centralization and incorporation, with the government playing a much larger role than it once did. There is a debate over states rights, which concerns the extent and nature of the states powers and sovereignty in relation to the federal government. States and their residents are represented in the federal Congress, a legislature consisting of the Senate. Each state is represented in the Senate by two senators, and is guaranteed at least one Representative in the House, members of the House are elected from single-member districts. Representatives are distributed among the states in proportion to the most recent constitutionally mandated decennial census, the Constitution grants to Congress the authority to admit new states into the Union. Since the establishment of the United States in 1776, the number of states has expanded from the original 13 to 50, alaska and Hawaii are the most recent states admitted, both in 1959. The Constitution is silent on the question of states have the power to secede from the Union. Shortly after the Civil War, the U. S. Supreme Court, in Texas v. White, as a result, while the governments of the various states share many similar features, they often vary greatly with regard to form and substance
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Seal of Alabama
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The Great Seal of the State of Alabama is the state seal of the U. S. state of Alabama. The first seal was designed in 1817 by William Wyatt Bibb, the governor of the Alabama Territory, when Alabama became a state in 1819, the state legislature adopted the design as the official state seal. The seal prominently features a map showing one of the states most valuable resources—its major rivers, the map was shown affixed to a living tree, with no motto. The design was replaced with a new seal on December 29,1868, in the centre of the seal an eagle is represented with raised wings alighting upon the national shield, with three arrows in his left talon. The eagle holds in his beak a streamer, on which immediately over the wings are the words HERE WE REST, the crest-word, which give name to the State, signifies The land of rest. This design is used by the Alabama Department of Labor. In 1939, at the request of Governor Frank M. Dixon, the new seal was adopted during a special session called by the Governor. In the center of the seal there shall be a representation of a map of the state with its principal rivers, the seal shall be called the Great Seal of the State of Alabama. The seal shall be kept and used as required by the Constitution, there are several seals of the government of Alabama, which use a variety of designs, including the coat of arms of Alabama, the state seal, and other distinct elements. List of Alabama state symbols Coat of arms of Alabama Flag of Alabama Alabama Great Seal for Kids, the former here we rest seal
29.
Seal of Alaska
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The Seal of the State of Alaska was first adopted before statehood, when the area was known as the District of Alaska. The first governor designated a seal of the district, which featured glaciers, northern lights, igloos, in 1910, this seal was replaced with a design more representative of the states industrial and natural wealth. Todays seal contains rays above the mountains represent the famous Alaskan northern lights. The smelter symbolizes mining, the stands for Alaskas railroads. The trees pictured in the seal symbolize the states wealth of timber, and the farmer, his horse, the fish and the seals signify the importance of fishing and seal rookeries to Alaskas economy. Alaska is the state which displays a seal on its seal. State of Alaska List of Alaska state symbols Flag of Alaska The Seal of the State of Alaska
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Seal of Arizona
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The Great Seal of the State of Arizona 20. Design of state seal Section 20, to the left in the middle distance on a mountain side is a quartz mill in front of which and in the foreground is a miner standing with pick and shovel. Above this device shall be the motto, Ditat Deus, in a circular band surrounding the whole device shall be inscribed, Great Seal of The State of Arizona, with the year of admission of the State into the Union. The use of the seal cannot be used outside of state government, any person who knowingly violates the law is guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. It cannot be used for commercial purposes under Arizona state law, source, Arizona Department of State, Office of the Secretary of States website Permission to Use the State Seal The official Arizona State Seal was designed by Phoenix newspaper artist, E. E. Motter. Source, Arizona Department of State, Office of the Secretary of States website Permission to Use the State Seal List of Arizona state symbols Flag of Arizona The Great Seal of the State of Arizona
31.
Seal of Arkansas
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The Arkansas State Seal was adopted in 1864 and modified to its present form on May 23,1907. The outer ring of the seal contains the text Great Seal of the State of Arkansas, the inner seal contains the Angel of Mercy, the Sword of Justice and the Goddess of Liberty surrounded by a bald eagle. The eagle holds in its beak a scroll inscribed with the Latin phrase Regnat Populus, the state motto, on the shield of the seal are a steamboat, a plow, a beehive and a sheaf of wheat, symbols of Arkansass industrial and agricultural wealth. State of Arkansas Symbols of the State of Arkansas Flag of Arkansas The Great Seal of the State of Arkansas
32.
Great Seal of California
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The word Eureka, meaning I have found it, is the California state motto. The original design of the seal was by U. S. Army Major Robert S. Garnett, Garnett later became the first general to be killed in the Civil War, where he served as a Confederate general. The legal definition of the Great Seal of the State of California is found in the California Government Code, Sections 399-405. In 1928, due to the number of details that had crept into the seal over the years, state printer Carroll H. Smith was authorized to prepare a new. His design was not adopted as the seal, although it was used by the State Printing Office. Both features remain to this day, the 1937 standardization came about when state employees, wishing to print the seal on blotters for the State Fair, could not find any official design of the seal. Also in the 1937 standardized seal there is a building on the far left rear hill that has interpreted in a variety of ways. The building, along with the break in the mountains, may have added to give San Francisco Bay a stronger claim on its location being the landscape portrayed in the seal. This building first appeared in versions of the seal in the mid-1880s, and in most of these. Fort Point has no dome, and it is unknown what building the 1895 artist was attempting to portray, two years later, Harold F. Wilson, in his interpretation created for the old State Building in Los Angeles, retained the dome. In 1952, the structure, again with dome, was cast in bronze in the seal at the west steps of the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The rumor states it was added as a signature of the inmates who cast it. The unsanctioned addition, so the story goes, was not noticed until it was too late to do anything about it and that places the building on the wrong side of the Gate to be San Quentin. No building in form, including the chapel, has ever existed at San Quentin. The building first appeared in artistic renditions of the seal as early as 1886, decades before this seal was cast in 1952, and was officially added in 1937. The configuration of the building on this seal is similar to its appearance in the 1937 standardization. Four detailed, post-1952 accounts of the seal make no mention of the rumor and this seal features what appears to be two structures combined into one. The right half, with imagination, resembles the front gates of San Quentin State Prison
33.
Seal of Colorado
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The Seal of the State of Colorado is an adaptation of the Territorial Seal which was adopted by the First Territorial Assembly on November 6,1861. The only changes made in the Territorial Seal design being the substitution of the words, State of Colorado, the first General Assembly of the State of Colorado approved the adoption of the state seal on March 15,1877. The Colorado Secretary of State alone is authorized to affix the Great Seal of Colorado to any document whatsoever. Below the eye is a scroll, the Roman fasces, a bundle of birch or elm rods with a battle ax bound together with a ribbon of red, white and blue with the words, Union and Constitution. The bundle of rods bound together symbolizes strength which is lacking in the single rod, the axe symbolizes authority and leadership. Below the scroll is the shield bearing across the top a red sky behind three snow-capped mountains and clouds above them. The lower half of the shield has two tools, the pick and sledge hammer, crossed on a golden ground. There is also evidence that Territorial Governor William Gilpin also was at least partially responsible for the design, both Weld and Gilpin were knowledgeable in the art and symbolism of heraldry. Elements of design from both the Weld and Gilpin families’ coats of arms are incorporated in the Territorial Seal, Nil sine numine is the state motto of Colorado. The Latin phrase appears to be an adaptation from Virgils Aeneid where in Book II, others say it is Nothing without God. Merriam Websters translates it as Nothing without the divine will, in the early mining days of the State, the unregenerate said it meant nothing without a new mine. The word numen means any divinity, god or goddess, or divine spirit, the motto appeared when Colorados first Territorial Governor William Gilpin asked the Secretary of the Territory L. C. Weld for a motto for the state seal. According to the story, Weld said, Well, Governor, Gilpin is said to have paused in thought for a moment and then responded Nil Sine Numine. On November 6,1861 by Joint Resolution the First Territorial Assembly adopted the motto with the territorial seal, list of Colorado state symbols Flag of Colorado Seal of the State of Colorado
34.
Seal of Connecticut
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The Great Seal of the State of Connecticut has been the coat of arms of the U. S. state of Connecticut since May 1784. It depicts three grapevines and a ribbon below with the Latin motto, Qui Transtulit Sustinet, with SIGILLUM REIPUBLICÆ CONNECTICUTENSIS in the border, the first seal of Connecticut was brought from England by Colonel George Fenwick in 1639. It was the seal of the Saybrook Colony and was turned over to the Connecticut Colony at about the time that it purchased the land and fort at Saybrook Point from Colonel Fenwick in 1644. The seal was used by the General Court from that time forward, on October 9,1662 the assembly formally declared that the seal would be kept by the Secretary of the Colony and used as the Seal of the Colony on necessary occasions. It remained the seal until October 1687, when Sir Edmund Andros took control of the colonys government. The new, less elaborately decorated seal was larger in size, the words of the motto remained the same, but the number of grape vines was reduced to three and the legend Sigillum Coloniae Connecticutensis is added to the edge of the seal. The three vines may have intended to represent the three colonies, New Haven Colony, Saybrook Colony and Connecticut Colony. After the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, the inscription on the seal was no longer appropriate. Therefore, in May 1784 the General Assembly directed the Secretary to alter the inscription to read SIGILL, however, when a new version of the seal was prepared, the inscription contained the words spelled out, SIGILLUM REIPUBLICÆ CONNECTICUTENSIS. There has been no subsequent alteration to the state seal. In 1931 the General Assembly required that all representations of the state seal conform to the description in chapter 54 of the Public Acts of that year and this legislation also prohibited reproduction of the seal except by or under the direction of the Secretary of the State. It is the only non-circular state seal out of the fifty states, Qui transtulit sustinet is the state motto of Connecticut depicted on a blue ribbon below the grapevines. The motto has been re-used for the name of Connecticuts SustiNet program to provide care to state residents. The current motto looks a little different than the 1639 version and it was first seen in the colonies in 1639 on a seal brought from England by Colonel George Fenwick. However, this explanation for the origin of the motto is questionable, in 1889, State Librarian Charles J. Hoadly published an article, The Public Seal of Connecticut that indicated the 80th Psalm as a possible source. The article stated, The vines symbolize the Colony brought over, the grapevines are said to represent more specifically either early towns or the early individual colonies. Some 19th-century versions of the Connecticut Great Seal show several grapevines, there is also a seal of the Governor of Connecticut. Unlike the State Seal however, it uses the coat of arms of Connecticut as its central motif, list of Connecticut state symbols Symbols of the State of Connecticut The Great Seal of the State of Connecticut
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Seal of Delaware
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The great seal of the state of Delaware was first adopted on January 17,1777, with the current version being adopted April 29,2004. It contains the coat of arms surrounded by an inscription. At the center of the coat of arms is a shield of horizontal red, blue, on the red stripe is hay and a cob of corn. On the white stripe is an ox standing on grass, above the shield is a sailing ship. Supporting the shield are a farmer on the left and a militiaman on the right, underneath the shield is the state motto. The sheaf of wheat is taken from the Sussex County seal, the ear of corn was taken from the Kent County seal and symbolizes the agricultural basis of the states economy. The blue stripe, above the ox, represents the Delaware River, the ox represents the importance of animal husbandry to the states economy. The ship is a symbol of New Castle Countys ship building industry, the farmer with the hoe represents the central role of farming to the state. The soldier, a militiaman with his musket, recognizes the role of the citizen-soldier to the maintenance of American liberties. The motto Liberty and Independence was provided by the Order of the Cincinnati, the surrounding inscription reads, Great Seal of the State of Delaware and the dates 1704,1776 and 1787. The seal was adopted in 1777 with minor changes made in 1793,1847. The current version was adopted in 2004, from 1793 until 1847 the figures of the farmer and the soldier were eliminated from the seal. In 1847 the motto Liberty and Independence, was added on a ribbon underneath the shield, in 1907 the seal was modernized and THE DELAWARE STATE was changed to THE STATE OF DELAWARE. The seal now used as the Great Seal of this State,89, §1, Code 1915, §387, Code 1935, §361,29 Del. C. 1953, §501,70 Del. Laws, c,186, §1,74 Del. Laws, c. Title 29 of the state constitution
36.
Seal of Florida
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The Great Seal of the State of Florida is used to represent the government of the state of Florida, and for various official purposes, such as to seal official documents and legislation. It is also used on state government buildings, vehicles. It also appears on the flag of Florida. The seal features a shoreline on which a Seminole woman is spreading hibiscus flowers, in the background a steamboat sails before a sun breaking the horizon, with rays of sunlight extending into the sky. The seal is encircled with the words Great Seal of the State of Florida, the Florida Secretary of State is the official custodian of the seal. Use or display of the seal must be for an official purpose, one exception is that other Florida state or local agencies can use or display the seal for official business if approved by head of their agency. Illegal use of the seal in Florida is a second-degree misdemeanor, list of Florida state symbols Flag of Florida The Great Seal of the State of Florida
37.
Seal of Georgia (U.S. state)
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The Great Seal of the State of Georgia is a device that has historically been used to authenticate government documents executed by the state of Georgia. The first great seal of the state was specified in the State Constitution of 1777 and its specifications are currently spelled out by statute. The words of the state motto, Wisdom, Justice. A man stands between the second and third columns, holding a sword in his right hand, representing the militarys defense of the Constitution. A border surrounds the coat of arms, and the motto State of Georgia,1776 is inscribed outside the arms, the reverse of the seal contains an image of Georgias coast, with a ship arriving to take aboard tobacco and cotton, symbolizing Georgias export trade. A second, smaller boat represents the internal traffic. Towards the left of the image, there is a man plowing, the motto Agriculture and Commerce,1776 is inscribed around the outside of the image. The dates listed on the obverse and reverse of the seal were originally 1799, the dates were changed by the Georgia state legislature in 1914 to reflect the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. By law, the Secretary of State is the custodian of the Great Seal. This custodianship has led to controversies, From 1868 to 1871, during the era of Reconstruction. It had been hidden under the home of wartime Secretary of State Nathan C, Barnett, to prevent its use by Federal forces. The Reconstruction government, having failed to locate the official seal, had a duplicate seal fabricated, the duplicate was a perfect match for the original, except for one small detail, the soldier held his sword in his left hand. The era of Reconstruction government in Georgia became known as the Period of the False Seal, in 1872, when Georgians re-took control of the government, Barnett unearthed the original seal and returned it to the Capitol. In December 1946, Governor-elect Eugene Talmadge died before assuming office, talmadges son, Herman, was appointed governor by the State Legislature. This was challenged by the Lieutenant Governor-elect Melvin Thompson, who maintained that the constitution authorized him to assume the office upon the death of the governor. Outgoing governor Ellis Arnall announced that he would not relinquish the office until it was clear who the new governor was, the political turmoil that ensued became known as the Three Governors Controversy. In January 1947, while all three governors occupied different portions of the State Capitol, Secretary of State Ben W. Fortson, Jr. took the seal and hid it. This prevented any of the claimants to the governorship from executing any business until the Supreme Court of Georgia could make a ruling on the rightful winner, Thompson was eventually declared acting governor until a special election could be held to fill the remainder of the original term
38.
Seal of Hawaii
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The Great Seal of the State of Hawaii was designated officially by Act 272 of the 1959 Territorial Legislature and is based on the territorial seal. Modifications to the seal included the use of the words State of Hawaii at the top and 1959 within the circle. Provisions for a seal for the state of Hawaii was enacted by the Territorial Legislator, the passage of the Admission Act in 1959, admitted Hawaii as the 50th State of the United States of America on August 21,1959. The seal of the Territory of Hawaiʻi was the same as the seal of the republic, the 1901 Territorial Legislature authorized the modified republic seal as the Seal of the Territory of Hawaii. The seal of the Republic of Hawaiʻi had the words Republic of Hawaii at the top, the year 1894 signified the date that the republic was established. The Great Seal of the State of Hawaii is circular in shape, the Hawaii state seal represents Hawaiis nation. In the center of the seal is a shield which is quartered. The first and fourth quarters display the white, red, the second and third quarters are on a yellow field with a white Puloʻuloʻu, or kapu sticks with tapa-covered balls on the end. In the center of the shield is a green escutcheon with a five-pointed yellow star in the center. On the left side is Kamehameha I, standing in the attitude as represented by the statue in front of Aliiolani Hale. His cloak and helmet are in yellow, Kamehameha Is figure is in proper. Kamehameha I unified the Hawaiian Islands into a united kingdom. On the right side is goddess Liberty also wearing a Phrygian cap and she is holding Ka Hae Hawaiʻi in her right hand that is partly unfurled. A rising sun irradiated in gold surrounded by the legend State of Hawaii,1959 on a scroll in black lettering, the state motto, Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono is on the scroll on the seals bottom in gold lettering. Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ʻĀina i ka Pono is roughly translated into English as The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness. The motto was adopted by the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi in 1843 and was used in an address by King Kamehameha III at ceremonies following the return of his kingdom from the British. After Kamehameha III notified London of the actions, Admiral Richard Darton Thomas returned sovereignty back to the King. The motto is also featured in Israel Kamakawiwooles song Hawaii 78 and is used on the Hawaii state quarter, below the heraldic shield, the bird phoenix has it wings outstretched arising from flames
39.
Flag and seal of Idaho
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The Seal of the Territory of Idaho was adopted in 1863, and redrawn several times before statehood in 1890. The state Great Seal was designed by Emma Edwards Green, the woman to design a state seal. The flag of the state of Idaho consists of the seal on a field of blue. The words “State of Idaho” appear in letters on a red. The seal depicts a miner and a woman representing equality, liberty, the symbols on the seal represent some of Idaho’s natural resources, mines, forests, farmland, and wildlife. The current seal contains the text Great Seal of the State of Idaho in the outer ring, the inner ring contains a banner with the Latin motto, Esto perpetua. A woman, signifying justice, and a man, dressed as a miner, the miner reminds us of the chief industry of the State at the time of statehood. Inside, the shield bears images symbolic of the State, the pine tree in the foreground refers to Idahos immense timber interests. Idaho has a law, which protects the elk and moose. The state flower, the wild Syringa or Mock Orange, grows at the womans feet, the river depicted in the shield is the Snake or Shoshone River. In 2001, the North American Vexillological Association surveyed its members on the designs of all 72 Canadian provincial, U. S. state and U. S. territorial flags, Idaho finished in the bottom ten, finishing 64th out of the 72. Idaho Symbols of Idaho The Great Seal of the State of Idaho Facts About Idaho
40.
Flag and seal of Illinois
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The Great Seal of the State of Illinois is the official emblem of the state, and signifies the official nature of a document produced by the state of Illinois. The flag of the state of Illinois consists of the seal of Illinois on a white background, the present seal was adopted in 1869, the flag bearing the central elements of the seal was adopted in 1915, and the word Illinois was added to the flag in 1970. The current flag depicts the Great Seal of Illinois, which was designed in 1819. In the eagles beak there is a banner with the motto, State Sovereignty. The dates on the seal,1818 and 1868, represent the year Illinois became a state, although State Sovereignty comes first in the motto, State is at the bottom and Sovereignty is upside-down. The first Great Seal of the State of Illinois was adopted in 1819 by the first Illinois General Assembly, the first law authorizing the Great Seal required the Secretary of State of Illinois to procure and keep the seal. The first seal engraved was essentially a duplicate of the Great Seal of the United States and it was used until 1839, when it was recut. The seal designed in 1839 became the Second Great Seal, Illinois Secretary of State Sharon Tyndale spearheaded the drive to create a third state seal for Illinois. In 1867, he asked State Senator Allen C, however, the bill passed by the legislature on March 7,1867, kept the original wording. Despite declining his suggestion, the legislature nonetheless entrusted Tyndale with designing the new seal, tyndales seal features a bald eagle pitched on a rock carrying a shield in its talons and a banner with the state motto in its beak. Thirteen stars and thirteen stripes on the represent the original thirteen states of the Union. This basic design has survived through several modifications since it was first conceived. The Illinois Secretary of State is still the keeper of the Great Seal of the State of Illinois, during her time as state regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1912, Ella Park Lawrence began a campaign to have Illinois adopt a state flag. Thirty-five designs were submitted in response to this contest, the contest was judged by a panel chaired by Lewis Stevenson, Illinois Secretary of State. They selected the design of Lucy Derwent, the flag became the official state banner on July 6,1915, following its passage in the Illinois State House and Senate. Governor Edward F. Dunne did not sign the bill, in the 1960s, Chief Petty Officer Bruce McDaniel petitioned to have the name of the state added to the flag. He noted that many of the people he served with during the Vietnam War did not recognize the banner. Ogilvie signed the addition to the flag into law on September 17,1969, for Illinoiss first 100 years of statehood in 1918, Wallace Rice, who designed Chicagos flag, designed a centennial flag for the state
41.
Seal of Indiana
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The Seal of the State of Indiana is used by the Governor of Indiana to certify official documents. The seal has gone through several revisions since the region was a part of the Northwest Territory and it is likely the original seal, which is similar to the current one, was created by William Henry Harrison during his administration of the Indiana Territory. The current design of the seal was standardized by the Indiana General Assembly in 1963, the state seal is maintained by the Governor of Indiana. It is used to certify the authenticity of official state documents, the seal is placed on departmental reports, bills the Governor signs into law, and official communications from the Governor to other high-ranking office holders. The seal is used on all commissions granted by the state as proof of the commissions authority. The United States Congress passed legislation on May 8,1792, Indiana was part of the Northwest Territory at that time and a seal was created by the United States Department of State to be used on official papers of the territory. The original seal was maintained by Governor Arthur St. Clair, on May 10,1800, the Indiana Territory was created by an act of Congress, but no provision for an official seal was included in the measure. The earliest recorded use of Indiana Territorys seal was on court documents that were signed by Governor William Henry Harrison in January 1801, the seal he used was an adaptation of the original seal created for the Northwest Territory. Although its origin is uncertain, it is likely that it was Harrison who made the alterations, the constitution of 1816 contained a clause that stated the governor should maintain a state seal and use it in official communication. The design of the seal was first proposed during the first session of the Indiana General Assembly in 1816, the bill was put through a joint conference of both houses of the General Assembly and funds where voted to purchase a printer to create the seal. In 1819, the seal was part of a state crisis. Lieutenant Governor Christopher Harrison became acting-governor when Governor Jonathan Jennings was away conducting negotiations with northern Indianas native tribes, when Jennings returned, Harrison refused to step down as governor, claiming that Jennings actions had invalidated his governorship. Harrison seized the state seal and set up his own governors office, after several weeks of debate in the state legislature, Harrison was forced to return the seal to Jennings and vacate the office of the governor. During 1895, Robert S. Hatcher, the clerk of the Indiana Senate, was directed to ascertain the legal status of the design of the state seal. After a thorough review, Hatcher found that the laws that authorized the seal did not explicitly state what its design should be and he recommended that a bill be passed to standardize the seal. Senator McCord submitted legislation for that purpose, but no action was taken on it, on January 28,1905, an article ran in the Indianapolis News containing information on the origin of the seal, some of it dubious. The article received much attention and started an inquiry into the history of the seal. Jacob Piatt Dunn, the preeminent Indiana historian of the time, consulted several history, Dunn cited the fact the state was young, and the mountains were to the east of the state, not the west—clearly indicating the sun was rising
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