Texas Independence Day is the celebration of the adoption of Texas’ independence declaration. It’s an annual holiday in the state and it lands on March 2nd. March 2nd is also an important day in Texas for other purposes such as it marking Sam Houston Day as well as Texas Flag Day.
However, these are observances, and not legal holidays and this article looks at the holiday of Texas Independence Day, and when it is celebrated each year.
When Is Texas Independence Day And Where Does It Come From?
Texas Independence Day celebrates and commemorates the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2nd, 1836. From this day onwards, every year on March 2nd, Texas celebrates Texas Independence Day.
The event marked the state’s independence from Mexico and sixty delegates from all over Texas signed the declaration. It has many parallels with the Declaration of Independence of the United States in 1776 and this is celebrated on July 4th, known as Independence Day.
The Republic of Texas was annexed to the US by a joint resolution of Congress in the US, nine years after the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed. On December 29th, 1845, the US Congress admitted Texas was now a constituent state of the Union.
Texas Independence Day is now an official holiday on the same day as Sam Houston Day. This marks the birthday of the soldier who led the people of Texas to victory over the troops from Mexico at the battle of San Jacinto.
Texas Independence Day As A Public Holiday
Texas Independence Day makes March 2nd a public holiday in Texas, which means for the general population, you get the day off! Most businesses are closed, as well as schools.
It is celebrated throughout many different cities and towns throughout the state and you will usually come across plenty of festivals, children’s activities, band music, re-enactments, and chili cook-offs.
You will also find story-telling sessions for children, detailing how the Texans won their independence from Mexico and became a republic during the 19th century.
Many schools have classroom activities and lessons about Texas Independence Day on the schooldays surrounding the holiday.
You might even see government workers enjoying a day off for Texas Independence Day. This is because it is a partial staffing day. State offices are scheduled to still be open on partial staffing holidays.
They are not closed on another day when holidays fall on a weekend either. Those travelling to festivals in the states and big celebrations, however, are advised to always check with authorities about parking and traffic regulations as the holiday can make the state very busy.
Texas Independence Day Symbols
The Texas Lone Star flag became the official flag of Texas on January 24th, 1839. The flag has a rectangle alongside a width to length ratio of 2 to 3. It has a blue vertical stripe one-third of the length of the flag wide, with two horizontal stripes.
The upper stripe is white and the lower stripe is red. Each two-thirds the entire length of the flag. A five-pointed white star sits in the center of the blue stripe and it is placed so the one point faces upward.
The diameter of a circle passes through the five points of the star and this is equal to three-fourths of the blue stripe’s width.
Texas also has other symbols such as the state bird which is the Northern Mockingbird, the state reptile which is the horned lizard, and the Bluebonnet which is the state flower. You can expect to see these all over cities and towns on Texas Independence Day.
Historic sites in the state include the Casa Navarro, located in San Antonio (see also ‘12 Incredible Restaurants On The San Antonio Riverwalk You Don’t Want To Miss‘). This was the home of Tejano patriot Jose Antonio Navarro. Navarro was very influential in the fight for the state’s independence.
Another important landmark is the San Jacinto Monument found in La Porte. This was built on the battleground where Texas won independence from Mexico.
Reasons To Love Texas Independence Day
Texans love to celebrate and with good reason. There are plenty of reasons they love Texas Independence Day. These include:
1. Source Of Inspiration
The story behind how Texas became independent is inspiring. The story of the revolution is an example to children and adults of the state alike, that you can snatch victory against the odds.
The Texans made the impossible, possible when they managed to defeat their rivals from Mexico, who outnumbered them by a lot.
2. History!
Texas Independence Day is a crucial part of Texas history, taught in schools and educational establishments across the state. The road to independence for Texas will be passed on throughout generations, in families, as well as in school.
The battles were legendary and the tales of bravery should be remembered for years to come, not only on March 2nd but every day.
3. Appreciate Our War Heroes
Texas Independence Day allows Texans to honor the sacrifice of the brave soldiers who fought for Texas to become independent. Their names should not be forgotten and their deeds need to remain fresh in the memories of their successors.
Future Dates For Texas Independence Day
Although we all know Texas Independence Day falls on March 2nd, you might be wondering what days of the week March 2nd fall on in the upcoming years ahead. In 2022, it will fall on a Wednesday, in 2023, it will fall on Thursday, Saturday in 2024, Sunday in 2025, and Monday in 2026.
Final Thoughts
We hope by reading this article you have learned a little more about Texas Independence Day and why it is celebrated throughout the state, every year on March 2nd.
Look forward to it, not just because it is a day off, but because it’s a chance to be inspired, learn about the history of the state and appreciate the war heroes that fought for independence.
The victory should be celebrated and remembered throughout our future so go big and attend those festivals, watch those re-enactments, we promise you’ll have one great celebration!
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