Bird

Mockingbird - (Mimus polyglottos). Known as our State Bird by the 40th Legislature in 1927. The mockingbird is also the state bird of Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee. The mockingbird has a gray upper body, with a dark gray tail with white tips on coverts, white patch on secondaries, with a shite throat and belly.

Capital

Austin - Chosen in 1839, six years Texas became a state. Our capital is the Nation's largest Capital Building, and the only Capitol built without taxpayers money. The building covers eight and a half acres of floor space and stands 300 feet tall.

Citizenship Designation

Texans - Our how people to refer to themselves that live in Texas. In Early Texas, they were known as Texian.

Dish

Chili - Known as our State Dish by the 65th Texas Legislature in 1977.

Fish

Guadalupe bass - Known as our State Fish by the 71st Legislature in 1989.

Flag

In 1876 the state flag of Texas was adopted. The white star, represents the Lone Star State. The Blue bar stands for loyalty, the white bar for purity, and the red bar for bravery.

Flower

Bluebonnet (Lupinus subcarnosus), the state flower adopted in 1901. It blooms from March to May, with a blue petal and yellow center edged in white, the stem and leaves are green. The flower itself is 1/2 to 1/2 inches wide. The bluebonnet reaches between 6 to 24 inches tall.

Folk Dance

Square Dance - Known as the official dance by the 72nd Legislature in 1991.

Fruit

Texas red grapefruit - Known as the official fruit by the 73rd Legislature in 1993.

Gem

Texas Blue topaz - Known as the official gem by the 61st Legislature in 1969. The gem is found in Llano area.

Grass

Sideoata grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) - A native grass found in many different soils became the official grass by the 62nd Legislature in 1971.

Holidays

Five State Holidays:

Martin Luther's King Birthday, 3rd Monday in January.

Texas Independence Day, March 2nd.

San Jacinto Day, April 21st.

Emancipation Day, June 19th.

Lyndon B. Johnson's Birthday, August 27th.

Motto

The State Motto for Texas is "Friendship."

State Name

The State Name is known as Texas. Tejas was from the Spanish pronunciation of a Caddo Indian Word meaning allies or friends.

Nickname

Texas is known as the Lone Star State because their is one star in the state flag.

Pepper

Chili - The official pepper of Texas.

Plant

Bluebonnets - The official plant of Texas.

Pledge to Flag

"Honor the Texas Flag.
I pledge allegiance to thee,
Texas, one and indivisible."

• In 1989 an act of the 71st Legislature further stipulated that when a person recites the pledge they shall:
  • Face the flag and place their right hand over their heart.
  • Remove any hat worn by a person.
  • Recite the pledge with pride and patriotism.

Seal

The State Seal was originally adopted in 1839. The olive branches stand for peace and the live oak branch represents strength.

Seashell

The State Seashell is the lightning whelk (Busycon perversum pulleyi), was adopted by the 70th Legislature in 1987. This stell is found only on the Gulf Coast, and named for its colored stripes. One of a few shells, that opens on the left side.

Song

The State song is Texas Our Texas.

Texas Our Texas
Texas, our Texas! All hail the mighty State!
Texas, our Texas! So wonderful, so great!
Boldest and grandest, withstanding every test:
O empire wide and glorious, you stand supremely blest.
Chorus
God bless you, Texas! And keep you brave and strong.
That you may grow in power and worth, throughout the ages long.
Refrain
Texas, O Texas! Your freeborn single star,
Sends out its radiance to nations near and far.
Emblem of freedom! It sets our hearts aglow.
With thoughts of San Jacinto and glorious Alamo.
Texas, dear Texas! From tyrant grip now free,
Shines forth in splendor your star of destiny!
Mother of Heroes! We come your children true.
Proclaiming our allegiance, our faith, our love for you.

Plays

In 1979, four plays became adopted, they are:

Beyond the Sundown

Fandangle

The Lone Star

Texas

Stone

Petrified Palmwood - Adopted in 1969 as the state stone.

Tree

Pecan Tree - Is the official tree, due to when Governer James S. Hogg had requested that a pecan tree be planted at his gravesite.