Texas ‑ State, Population & Map

Interesting Facts

The Johnson Space Center in Houston, originally established as the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC) in 1961, is the site of Mission Control for all flights into space. On July 20, 1969, its flight controllers oversaw the Apollo 11 flight that landed Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the moon and returned the astronauts safely home.Referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the Astrodome in Houston was the world’s first domed stadium when it was opened in 1965. Drawing crowds for sporting events, concerts, rodeos and entertainment, the Astrodome was last used in 2005 as a shelter for Hurricane Katrina evacuees.Texas is the leading crude oil- and natural gas-producing state in the U.S. In 2011, it also produced more cattle, sheep, hay, cotton and wool than any other state.The name Texas derives from a Caddo Indian word that means “friends” or “allies,” which was incorporated into the state motto: Friendship.
During Texas’ war for independence from Mexico, a group of 200 volunteers who were defending the fort and former Franciscan mission known as the Alamo near San Antonio was attacked by a much larger force of Mexican troops. The siege, which had begun on February 23, 1836, lasted for 13 days before the Mexican forces broke through the courtyard and annihilated most of the Texans, including famed frontiersman and former congressman from Tennessee, Davy Crockett.
On September 8, 1900, a Category 4 hurricane with winds up to 130 miles per hour pummeled Galveston, Texas, killing more than 8,000 people and destroying the once-thriving city. It remains the deadliest natural disaster in United States history.
While traveling through Dallas in an open convertible on November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed by Lee Harvey Oswald. Two hours later, Vice President Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as the 36th president of the United States aboard Air Force One while stationed at Dallas Love Field airport.

Flight controllers on sit behind their consoles in shuttle flight control room (WFCR) at the Mission Control Center at Johnson Space Center before the launch of NASA space shuttle Atlantis July 08, 2011 in Houston, Texas. — Flight controllers on sit behind their consoles in the shuttle flight control room (WFCR) at the Mission Control Center at Johnson Space Center before the launch of the NASA space shuttle Atlantis on July 08, 2011, in Houston, Texas.

The interior of the Houston Astrodome in Houston, TX is pictured on Feb. 2, 2017. The stadium, once called the "8th Wonder of the World," is now closed and in disrepair. — The interior of the Houston Astrodome in Houston, TX on Feb. 2, 2017. The stadium, once called the "8th Wonder of the World," is now closed and in disrepair.

Northern Mockingbird, Mimus polyglottos, on branch drying wings after bathing in pond, Santa Clara Ranch, Texas, United States — The Northern Mockingbird is the state bird of Texas.

Bluebonnets have been the 'state flower' of Texas since 1901. These hardy winter annuals are native to Texas and flower from March to May.

Battle of Palo Alto, 8 May 1846, near what is now Brownsville, Texas. US force sunder General Zachary Taylor defeated Mexicans under aria no Aristae. — Pictured is the Battle of Palo Alto, which took place on May 8, 1846, during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) near what is now Brownsville, Texas.

In December 1845, during the presidency of James Knox Polk, Texas became a state of the Union. The annexation meant the Mexican-American war of 1846-1848. Texas State Flag waving over The Alamo, San Antonio, after being admitted to the Union a month before the start of the Civil War, 1845.

1 / 7: Getty Images / NASA / JS translation missing: handout

Interesting Facts

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