In Texas, Every Day is Flag Day
Technically, Flag Day is June 14th, but it’s easy to get the impression that Flag Day is every day here in the state of Texas. The Dallas – Fort Worth region is quite breezy, which makes it easy to express your pride for state and country with proudly waving flags.
Texas State Flag: A Popular Urban Legend
Since moving here, I’ve heard over and over that, “Texas is the only state in the USA allowed to fly its flag at the same height as the US flag.” This, it turns out, is an urban legend, a rather believable one, I must say, but it’s simply not true.
I was a Girl Scout growing up, and thought I knew it all when it came to flag etiquette, but this site spells it all out, and could be used to settle any quibbles you may have about the Texas flag code.
For instance, while it is fine and dandy to fly a state flag just as high as the US flag, the state flag should always be on the left side of Old Glory, which is the viewer’s right.
Got that?
What Are the Six Flags of Texas?
While Six Flags Over Texas is the name of a popular amusement park, it is also true that six different flags have flown over the state of Texas throughout the course of its history.
Every Texan learned which flags these were in school, but the three R’s often get rusty over time. So the next barbecue you attend (and in Texas, barbecues are plentiful) wait until there is a lull in the conversation, then ask your Texan pals if they can name all six flags. Chances are, they’ll get stuck after four or five.
If your smartypants friends actually can remember them, up the ante by seeing who can name the six flags in the proper order from when they each first flew:
Spain (1519-1685; 1690-1821)
France (1685-1690)
Mexico (1821-1836)
Republic of Texas (1836-1845)
US Confederacy (1861-1865)
US Flag (1845-1861; 1865-present)
Easy Way to Remember the Six Flags of Texas
I made up a silly mnemonic device to help me remember this info, which is especially helpful after a margarita or two. Simply envision some wadded up flags in your mind, which will help you remember the phrase: state flags might really crumple up. The first letter of each word matches the first letter of each flag that flew over Texas – in the correct order, too boot. Easy, huh?
As an aside, Idaho is the only state in the union that has never flown a flag other than Old Glory. But that, my friends, is a story for another day. Right now, I need to grab my sunhat and get going; the neighbor has invited us over for a barbecue.
More A to Z blog posts
This was my post for the letter F of the A to Z blogging challenge. Tune in Monday to see what quirky Texan thing the letter G will bring!
In the meantime, click on this link to find out what other A to Z blogging challenge folks are writing about.
Tui Snider is an author, speaker, and photographer who specializes in North Texas travel, cemetery symbols, and haunted lore. As she puts it, “I used to write fiction – but then, I moved to Texas!”
Snider’s best-selling books include Paranormal Texas , Understanding Cemetery Symbols, and 100 Things to Do in Dallas - Fort Worth Before You Die.
Snider has several more books in progress, and enjoys connecting with writers and readers all over the globe through social media, her newsletter and her website: TuiSnider.com.
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Very interesting facts about flags. I feel terrible that I have no idea how many SC has had. Hope you had a lovely time at the barbecue.
Hi Jocelyn,
I must admit that I’ve no idea which flags flew over my home state of Washington, so don’t feel bad! (hmmm, I should really look into that…)
~Tui
I’m making a mental note of this one. I have been to Six Flags in Texas, but I couldn’t have named but maybe three. Now I’ll be ready for the next game of Trivial Pursuit or random party conversation. :)
Hi Chuck,
Yeah, I’m loaded with random party conversation tidbits!
~Tui
I love me a good mnemonic device! I make them up all the time to remember things. This one will be great to impress my Texan brother-in-law. Thanks!
Hi Julie,
Yea! Glad I could help you impress your Texan brother-in-law. :)
~Tui
Hope you had fun at the barbie! Who would have known about all those flags -certainly not this foreigner and a great mnemonic too.
Pauleen @ http://troppont.wordpress.com
A to Z 2013
Hi Pauleen,
Thank you for dropping by. You mention being a foreigner. I tell ya, even though I’m American, I still feel like a foreigner here in Texas. There’s still so much to learn about this state!
~Tui
I’m so glad I discovered your blog, I love it. The images are great. I didn’t realize six different flags have flown over Texas but it makes sense historically now. I also like the dinosaur and the eiffel tower posts. I’m looking forward to learning some more quirky Texan things!
Thank you, Dan! I’ve got a lot more quirky things lined up for the A to Z challenge.
~Tui
All part of the Texas Mystique!
Hi Carol,
There’s more mystique to Texas than I ever realized!
~Tui
I imagine I would forget France since the LaSalle expedition was such a disaster :-/. Spain and Mexico are pretty hard to forget, though! Have you visited any of the historic Spanish Missions? There are five or so in San Antonio, and they really give you a taste of what life might have been like for the explorers 600 years ago!
Hi Charlie,
No, I haven’t yet visited any of the historic Spanish missions. I’d love to, but so far, I’m limited to day trips. Texas is might big, after all!
~Tui
I always thought six flags was just an amusement park. Another interesting post about Texas.
Rhonda @Laugh-Quotes.com
AtoZ #42
Hi Rhonda,
Yes, it’s been fun digging up all the info for these Texas posts.
~Tui