When were bluebonnets named the state flower of Texas?
Bluebonnet (plant)
Bluebonnet is a name given to any number of blue-flowered species of the genus "Lupinus" predominantly found in southwestern United States and is collectively the state flower of Texas. The shape of the petals on the flower resembles the bonnet worn by pioneer women to shield them from the sun.
Species often called bluebonnets include:On March 7, 1901, "Lupinus subcarnosus" became the only species of bluebonnet recognized as the state flower of Texas; however, "Lupinus texensis" emerged as the favorite of most Texans. So, in 1971, the Texas Legislature made any similar species of "Lupinus" that could be found in Texas the state flower.
Billie Jean Floyd
While campaigning, Floyd would hand peppermints to the public saying, "“Hello, my name is Billie Floyd and I’m running for the State Senate, and I just want to tell you that your vote would mean a mint to me, and here it is to show you."Floyd's old botany professor from East Central, Dr. Doyle McCoy, approached her in order to establish a state flower. Floyd carried the bill in the senate that inaugurated the Indian Blanket as the state flower of Oklahoma.
Texas Longhorns football
The Board of Regents held an election in that year to decide the team colors. Students, faculty, staff and alumni were asked to vote. 1,111 votes were cast, with 562 in favor of orange and white. Orange and maroon received 310, royal blue 203, crimson 10, and royal blue and crimson 11. For the next thirty years, Longhorn teams wore bright orange on their uniforms, which faded to yellow by the end of the season. By the 1920s, other teams sometimes called the Longhorn squads "yellow bellies," a term that didn't sit well with the athletic department. In 1928, UT football coach Clyde Littlefield ordered uniforms in a darker shade of orange that wouldn't fade, which would later become known as "burnt orange" or "Texas orange." The dark-orange color was used until the dye became too expensive during the Great Depression, and the uniforms reverted to the bright orange for another two decades, until coach Darrell K Royal revived the burnt-orange color in the early 1960s.
History of Texas Longhorns football
In his seventh season, Royal, with the help of star linebacker Tommy Nobis and quarterback Duke Carlisle, led Texas to their first officially recognized national championship in 1963. Texas began that season averaging 35 points per game heading into the annual game with Oklahoma. The game against Oklahoma was the first meeting in the series where both teams were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the AP poll. Texas dominated the game from start to finish and beat the Sooners 28-7. There were no more threats to the team until the annual showdown with Texas A&M in College Station. On a rainy and murky afternoon both teams continued to turn the ball over in what was a close battle to the end. Texas would win 15-13, going on to post a perfect 11–0 record after a 28–6 victory over Navy in the Cotton Bowl Classic, which was another No. 1 vs No. 2 showdown during the season. Prior to the game, Pittsburgh sports writer Myron Cope said, "Tune in your television to the Cotton Bowl and you'll laugh yourself silly. Texas is the biggest fraud ever perpetrated on the football public." Darrell Royal was asked about Cope's comments moments before taking the field. Royal smiled, looked into the camera and said, "We're ready", and Texas went on to dominate the Navy team, solidifying their first official national championship.
Texas Cowboys
In 1922, the University of Texas at Austin found itself in need of a men's service organization. Two men, head cheerleader Arno Nowotny and Longhorn Band president Bill McGill, began working together to recruit a very select group of young men who were dedicated to leadership and service. In 1922, forty men from all aspects of campus life were chosen by McGill and Nowotny to be the first Texas Cowboys. Throughout its nearly 100 years of existence, becoming a Texas Cowboy became a high honor, developed through the accomplishments of its members and from the organization's tradition of service and spirit.
Flag of Texas
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. 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 background rather than blue. There is evidence that the Lone Star and Stripes was used at the battles of Goliad, the Alamo, and San Jacinto, and the first Congress of the Republic of Texas as convened under it in 1836. 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 [Texan] Navy and Merchantmen" due to its resemblance to the U.S. flag. Despite its unofficial status, the flag remained well known inside the region and internationally as the symbol of Texas. The official blue and gold "Burnett Flag," on the other hand, was little known by Texans, and no contemporary illustrations of it have been discovered except for on the first series 2 dollar note of the Texas Dollar. An 1837 chart of national flags printed in Philadelphia showed the Lone Star and Stripes as the national flag of Texas, and Texas Senator Oliver Jones, who led the 1839 committee which approved the Lone Star Flag, was unaware that the Lone Star and Stripes was not the current official flag. Later, prior to the American Civil War, this flag was carried by Floridian militiamen in Pensacola during the seizure of U.S. property in that city.
Abronia macrocarpa
Abronia macrocarpa is a rare species of flowering plant known by the common name largefruit sand verbena. It is endemic to eastern Texas, where it is known from three counties. It inhabits harsh, open sand dunes on savannas, growing in deep, poor soils. It was first collected in 1968 and described as a new species in 1972. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
Texas Longhorns football
317 Longhorns have been drafted into the NFL, including 43 in the 1st round., The Longhorns currently have 22 players active on NFL rosters.The 1893 team did not always wear orange. They also wore gold and white uniforms. In 1895, the Texas Athletic Association moved to orange and white colors. In 1897, the Association moved to orange and maroon to save cleaning costs. The Cactus Yearbook at the time listed the University colors as either gold or orange and white until the 1899 Cactus declared the University colors to be gold and maroon. Students at the University's medical branch in Galveston (UTMB) were in favor of royal blue. By 1899, a UT fan could have worn any of yellow, orange, white, red, maroon, or even blue.
Shoal Creek, Austin, Texas
The list assembled by iNaturalist includes many wildflowers, notably "Rudbeckia hirta" (black-eyed Susan), "Gaillardia pulchella" (Indian blanket), "Monarda citriodora" (lemon beebalm), "Coreopsis tinctoria" (plains coreopsis), "Solanum elaeagnifolium" (silverleaf nightshade), "Lupinus texensis" (Texas Bluebonnet), "Lindheimera texana" (Texas yellow star), "Callirhoe involucrata" (winecup mallow), "Oenothera speciosa" (Pinklady or pink evening primrose), "Verbena halei" (Texas Vervain), and "Malvaviscus arboreus" (Turk's cap).
Bolo tie
The bolo tie was made the official neckwear of Arizona in 1971. New Mexico passed a non-binding measure to designate the bolo as the state's official neckwear in 1987. On March 13, 2007, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson signed into law that the bolo tie was the state's official tie. Also in 2007, the bolo tie was named the official tie of Texas. Politicians and officials from western states will often wear them, such as former Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer.
Texas Woman's University
Established in 1940, the historic costume collection contains original dresses predating Texas statehood by First Ladies of the Texas Republic, as well as those worn by Texas First Ladies to the Governor's Inaugural Ball and gowns donated by Presidential First Ladies Mamie Eisenhower, Lady Bird Johnson, Barbara Bush, and Laura Bush. As of 2018, the collection consists of 47 gowns, of which 21 are on a rotating display in the Administration Conference Tower. Each dress has been loaned or donated by various sources to the University, with most dresses and their preservation costs through donations from Texas chapters of Daughters of the American Revolution, the Denton Benefit League, or directly from the First Ladies themselves.
Wildflowers (Dolly Parton song)
In 2008, the recording was played at a reception by the Texas State Democratic Party, honoring former First Lady Ladybird Johnson. Johnson's love of wild flowers was well known, and she had long championed the planting of them along the U.S. highways.
University of Texas at San Antonio
By 1975, the university's future colors were being openly discussed among student leaders and the administration. UTSA's third color of blue was selected, beating out other proposed colors such as "fiesta red" and "cactus green". The John Peace Library opened the next year, serving as the new administrative headquarters for the university. The discussion of a university mascot soon followed the selection of school colors. In the fall of 1977 an election was held to determine the school's mascot, with "the armadillos" and "the stars" taking the top two spots. However, the referendum was declared void by the student government and a new election was held with nine candidates and a write-in option. The top two choices from the second election, the roadrunner and the armadillo, campaigned in a competitive run-off. On December 9, 1977 the roadrunner was announced as UTSA's first and only mascot.
Fredericksburg, Texas
Lady Bird Johnson's passion for Texas wildflowers not only lives on in the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, but she also sparked a high demand for seed. The Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg was founded by John R. Thomas in 1983 as a result of that high demand, and produces 88 varieties of wildflower seeds. It is the largest family-owned wildflower seed farm in the United States and host of an annual Wildflower Celebration.
Alamo Fire
Alamo Fire or Texas Maroon are names given to a maroon hybrid cultivar of "Lupinus texensis" (or bluebonnet), Texas' state flower.
Tecoma stans
Tecoma stans is a species of flowering perennial shrub in the trumpet vine family, Bignoniaceae, that is native to the Americas. Common names include yellow trumpetbush, yellow bells, yellow elder, ginger-thomas. "Tecoma stans" is the official flower of the United States Virgin Islands and the floral emblem of The Bahamas.
Six flags over Texas
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.
Texas State Bobcats men's basketball
The Bobcats' first season of college basketball was in 1920. The Bobcats were one of the charter members of the Lone Star Conference, which started play in 1934. Starting in 1950, the team won nine conference titles, winning the 1960 NAIA title in the process along with playing in the NAIA Final Four four times before leaving in 1983 to join the Gulf Star Conference, playing from 1984 until 1987 until the conference disbanded. They soon joined the Southland Conference from 1987 until 2012, when they left for the Western Athletic Conference. A year later, they left the WAC and joined the Sun Belt Conference. Southwest Texas State became Texas State in 2003.^Minnesota win vacated for NCAA infractions
Yellow Rose of Texas Award
The award name, "Yellow Rose of Texas," was chosen by Governor Shivers to honor the woman known by that name, Emily Morgan, who as a 20-year-old slave, according to legend, was instrumental in the victory of the Battle of San Jacinto, which, reportedly lasted 18 minutes, which, in turn, sealed the fate for Texas independence.
Orange Jackets
The Orange Jackets are known for their volunteer efforts and service projects on campus and in the community. Orange Jackets' primary philanthropy is The Settlement Home for Children in Austin. They are responsible for founding Family Weekend in 1924, originally Dad's and Mother's Day. In 1926, they started the Women's Self Government Association, a now-retired governance body, which addressed women's issues in college environments. Other notable contributions include the implementation of police call boxes across the university campus and starting fundraising efforts for Voices Against Violence, a UT program offering sexual assault counseling and education, after federal funding for the program was cut. The Orange Jackets began the initiative to erect the first female statue at the University of Texas. Barbara Jordan was selected because of her civil rights activism, political accomplishments, love for Texas, and connection to the University. The Barbara Jordan statue remains a symbol of women's presence and power on the university campus.
Schoenolirion wrightii
Schoenolirion wrightii, known as Texas sunnybell, is a species of flowering plant in the Agave subfamily. It is native to the southern United States, in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Alabama. Texas sunnybell produces vertical rootstocks topped with prominent bulbs, each up to in diameter. Between two and seven leaves are produced per plant, up to long and only across each, flattened to slightly keeled and usually shorter than the flowerhead. The ovate to lanceolate tepals are white with a green stripe on the back, mostly three-veined, but sometimes five-veined. "Schoenolirion wrightii" flowers between March and May, occurring in sandstone outcrops, wet pinelands, and boggy places.
Louisiana iris
In 1990, the Louisiana iris was voted the state wildflower. The state flower is the magnolia blossom.
The "Hexagonae" series name is derived from the first Louisiana iris species to inhabit the series, "Iris hexagona". The name "Louisiana iris" comes from the naturalist and artist John James Audubon. In the 1821, a Louisiana flag ("Iris fulva") was painted by his assistant Joseph Mason, then Audubon added his pair of parula warblers. He then used the term 'Louisiana Flag' to describe the painting.
Texas Cowboys
The Texas Cowboys is an honorary men's service organization at the University of Texas at Austin. It was founded by Arno Nowotny and Bill McGill in 1922 with the purpose of serving the University of Texas, as well as the surrounding area, with the timeless motto: "Give the best you have to Texas, and the best will come back to you." There are more buildings named after Texas Cowboys alumni than any other student organization at UT. The Texas Cowboys also serve as ambassadors of the University of Texas and are present at all significant university-sponsored events.
Mabrya rosei
Mabrya rosei is a mat-forming herbaceous perennial native to the Mexican states of Jalisco and Zacatecas. It has tubular flowers, whitish at the base and red to red-violet at the apex. It was first described by Philip A. Munz in 1926 in the genus "Maurandya" and transferred to "Mabrya" by Wayne J. Elisens in 1985. Munz did not explain the origin of the epithet "rosei" but listed the collector of the type specimen as Joseph Nelson Rose.
Fungicide use in the United States
Botrytis blight is a grey mold fungus that was first observed on New Jersey blueberries in 1924 and by the 1950s was considered the most dangerous disease of the Northwest. USDA estimates that 95% of Northwestern blueberry crop and 40% of eastern blueberry fields are infected with botrytis blight. Yield losses within these fields with uncontrolled blight are estimated to be 30–40%. In most cases infections in the blossoms of the plant results in ovary mortality which prevents development of the blueberry itself.
History of Texas forests
In 1930 the Angelina County Lumber Company planted 200,000 pine seedlings representing one of the first significant efforts at reforestation in the state. In 1933 the Texas legislature authorized the purchase of specific lands for the National Forest system, thus creating Angelina, Davy Crockett, Sam Houston, and Sabine National Forests. These lands were largely areas that had been cut over and cleared by lumber interests. The United States Forest Service and the Texas Forest Service began efforts to re-establish forests on these and other properties around the state.
In 1944 a tree farm program was started in Texas following the model set forth by the state of Alabama. Under the sponsorship of various public and private organizations, including the Texas Forest Service and the East Texas Chamber of Commerce, the program established training and certification criteria that encourage sustainable harvesting practices and protect the local wildlife and ecology.
Stowers Ranch
Native life is not limited to the animal kingdom. Under good conditions, stands of perennial prairie grasses such as cane bluestem, little bluestem, big bluestem, sideoats grama, hairy gramma, curly mesquite, buffalograss, fall witchgrass, plains lovegrass, wildrye, Texas wintergrass, and Indiangrass blanket the rolling countryside. In the spring there is usually a profusion of wildflowers, including the famous Texas bluebonnet and cactus blossoms. Other wildflowers bloom throughout the year.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at The University of Texas at Austin is the state botanical garden and arboretum of Texas. The center features more than 900 species of native Texas plants in both garden and natural settings and is home to a breadth of educational programs and events. The center is 284 acres and located 10 miles southwest of downtown Austin, Texas just inside the edge of the distinctive Texas hill country. It straddles both Edwards Plateau and Texas Blackland Prairies ecosystems.
Porfirio Salinas
While Salinas sold his work steadily, by 1960 he was known primarily to Texas collectors and tourists who visited San Antonio. In 1961, this changed rapidly with the election of his collector Lyndon B. Johnson (1908–1973) to the Vice Presidency of the United States. With his ascension from the United States Senate to being Vice President, Johnson and his wife Lady Bird Johnson (1912–2007) purchased a large French-style chateau from the socialite and heiress Perle Mesta (1889–1975). They decorated the house with French antiques and tapestries that were already in the home, but the foyer was hung with Texas wildflower paintings by Salinas. Lady Bird Johnson was quoted as saying, "I want to see them when I open the door, to remind me of where I come from." Lyndon Johnson told the Washington press that Porfirio Salinas was "his favorite artist." President Johnson also presented a Salinas painting to President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz of Mexico as an official gift from the United States. The patronage of the President was a tremendous boost to the artist's career and during the 1960s, his work sold briskly for ever higher prices. The Johnsons' Salinas paintings remain in the collection of the LBJ Ranch today. President and Lady Bird Johnson were both advocates and admirers of wildflowers. Lady Bird Johnson will always remain linked to the subject of wildflowers because of her "Beautify America" campaign and the Highway Beautification Act, which was passed by the United States Congress in 1965. As part of that effort, many miles of Texas roadsides were seeded with Texas bluebonnets, Lupinus texensis, the flowers that Salinas is known for painting.
Spiranthes parksii
Spiranthes parksii, the Navasota lady's tresses, is a species of orchid that is endemic to Texas, United States. The flower was first discovered in 1945 and was first described by Donovan Stewart Correll in his 1950 book, "Native Orchids of North America North of Mexico".
Sweet onion
South Texas also acquired what is known as the 1015 onion in the early 1980s by Dr. Leonard M. Pike, a horticulture professor at Texas A&M University, Texas. 1015 Onions are actually named for their optimum planting date, October 15.
Grown only in the Rio Grande Valley of South Texas, this large, prized onion was developed after ten years of extensive research, endless testing and a million dollars in cost. As a result, Texas achieved a mild, exceptionally sweet onion that lives up to its nickname - the "Million Dollar Baby".
Onions are Texas' leading vegetable crop. The state produces mostly sweet yellow varieties. The sweet onion was adopted as Texas' official state onion in 1997.
Flag of Texas
Legislation authorizing this flag was introduced in the Congress of the Republic of Texas on December 28, 1838, by Senator William H. Wharton and was adopted on January 25, 1839, as the final national flag of the Republic of Texas. "Accompanying the original Act ... is a drawing by Peter Krag of the national flag and seal ... although in the original President Lamar's approval and signature are at the top and upside down[.]" When Texas became the 28th U.S. state on December 29, 1845, the national flag became the state flag. From 1879 until 1933 there was no official state flag, although the Lone Star Flag remained the de facto state flag; in adopting the Revised Civil Statutes of 1879, the Legislature repealed all statutes not expressly continued in force; since the statutes pertaining to the flag were not among those renewed, Texas was formally flagless until the passage of the 1933 flag law.
2007 Texas Longhorns football team
The first Longhorn game of the season marked the first-ever meeting between Texas and Arkansas State, a NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision team from the Sun Belt Conference. Pre-game media attention played upon the fact that both schools won national football championships in 1970. Both schools entered the game with a level of controversy attached to their teams. Arkansas State was facing criticism over its team name. The team was nicknamed "Indians" in honor of the Osage Nation that inhabited the area until the 1800s. The NCAA enforced restrictions on the use of Indian mascots, saying that they were derogatory to American Indians. In 2008, the Indians changed their name to the Red Wolves. The University of Texas was dealing with player suspensions, and passed a large pay raise for Mack Brown one week prior to the game. As part of the package, Brown received a $100,000 special payment upon completion of the game.
Ennis, Texas
The Kachina Prairie is a city park preserving one of the last remaining examples of untouched Texas blackland prairie. The first Ennis bluebonnet trail was marked through this area in 1938.
Texas Longhorns football
Beginning in 1893, the Texas Longhorns football program is one of the most highly regarded and historic programs of all time. From 1937 to 1946 the team was led by Hall of Fame coach Dana X. Bible, and then from 1957 to 1976 the team was led by Hall of Fame coach Darrell K Royal, who won three national championships. The first championship was in 1963 and the second was in 1969. In 2012, the football program was valued at $805 million, more than the calculated value of several NFL teams. In 2008, ESPN ranked Texas as the seventh-most prestigious college football program since 1936. As of the end of the 2018 season, Texas' all-time record is 908–370–33 (.705), which ranks as the second-most wins in NCAA Division I FBS history. Texas is known for their post-season appearances, ranking second in number of bowl game appearances (55), fourth in bowl game victories (29), most Southwest Conference football championships (27), and most Cotton Bowl Classic appearances and victories. Other NCAA records include 108 winning seasons out of 122 total seasons, 24 seasons with 10 or more wins, 9 undefeated seasons, and 26 seasons with at most one loss or tie. From 1936 to 2012, the Longhorns football teams have been in the AP or coaches' rankings 66 out of 76 seasons (86.8% of the time), finishing those seasons ranked in the top twenty-five 48 times and the top ten 28 times. Texas claims four Division I-A national championships (1963, 1969, 1970 and 2005) and 32 conference championships (3 Big 12 Conference, 27 Southwest Conference, and 2 Texas Intercollegiate Athletic Association).
Music of Texas
From the 1960s to the 1980s, an independent label out of Fort Worth known as Bluebonnet recorded numerous albums of high-quality material by many pioneer artists in the country music and religious genres such as Bradley Kincaid, the Girls of the Golden West, Buddy Starcher, Yodelin' Kenny Roberts, and many other country music and gospel pioneers, many of whom had been popular on radio in the first half of the 20th century.
History of Texas Longhorns football
After the exiting of Akers, Texas hired David McWilliams who was a former assistant coach at UT. McWilliams had just had his first promising year at Texas Tech before accepting the Texas head coaching position. With a solid 7–5 first season and a Bluebonnet Bowl victory over Pittsburgh in 1987, McWilliams initially reminded people of Darrel K. Royal. However, after two losing season of 4–7 in 1988 and 5–6 in 1989, the luster had worn off. But after an opening victory of Penn State in 1990 McWilliams began the "Shock the Nation" tour leading his team to 10–1, only losing to the eventual 1990 National Champions, Colorado. The 1990 Longhorns went to the 1991 Cotton Bowl Classic where they were defeated by Miami. Many Texas fans had hope of national championship in 1991, but were eventually disappointed when Texas finished with a 5–6 record which caused McWilliams to resign. At the end of his coaching career McWilliams led Texas to two bowl games, an SWC title, and a 31–26 record.
Crataegus texana
Crataegus texana, the Texas hawthorn, is a member of the family Rosaceae. Typically, it is found in the form of a small tree or a large shrub and blooms in early spring, usually in the months of March and April. Flowers of the Texas Hawthorn are white and usually produce small, one-inch, scarlet fruits that are said to resemble tiny red apples. Its twigs are usually armed with thorns that can grow to be about one to three inches long
Tillandsia baileyi
Tillandsia baileyi, commonly known as the reflexed airplant or Bailey's ball moss, is a species of bromeliad that is native to southern Texas in the United States and Tamaulipas in Mexico. It is found along the Gulf of Mexico from Kingsville, Texas to Tampico, Tamaulipas. Preferred host plants for this epiphyte include Southern live oak ("Quercus virginiana") and Texas ebony ("Ebenopsis ebano").
History of Texas Longhorns football
The Mack Brown era officially debuted with a 66–36 win over New Mexico State in Austin in which running back Ricky Williams would account for six rushing touchdowns. Texas was able to build on that momentum winning six straight including an upset win over Nebraska, 20–16, in Lincoln, Nebraska; which snapped the Cornhuskers streak of 48 straight home victories. The team would go undefeated at home that season and close out a thrilling 26–24 last minute upset win over #6 rival Texas A&M, Texas went on to face and dominate Mississippi State in the 1999 Cotton Bowl Classic, their first New Years Bowl victory since 1981. After a great start in 1998, the talk of national championships began in 1999. However, the talk quickly died after a rocky start, but Texas rebounded with a huge third straight victory over No. 3 Nebraska in Austin and finished the season 9–5. The 2000 season had many people speaking of a championship run with the loaded talent recruited from the previous year. There were growing pains during the season as Texas finished 2nd in the Big 12 and 9–3 overall. In 2001, Texas went 10–1 on the season and was heading towards a national championship appearance against Miami but were upset in the Big 12 championship by Colorado, who they had previously beaten soundly in the regular season. Texas finished the year with an exciting shoot-out win in the Holiday Bowl over Washington where Major Applewhite would set a passing record of 473 yards in a come from behind 47-43 victory. The Holiday Bowl would be voted as the most watched bowl game of the 2001 season. Applewhite finished his career with a 22-6 record as a starting quarterback. Texas would finish the season 11–2 ranked in the top five.
Floral emblem
In 1986 President Ronald Reagan signed legislation to make the rose the floral emblem of the United States. In the United States, state flowers and trees have been adopted as symbols by state legislatures.
Mary Daggett Lake
In 1926, Mary Daggett Lake wrote "The" "Legend of the Bluebonnet", a short book on the folklore of the state flower of Texas. She also wrote "Have You Ever Been to Texas in the Spring"?, the official song of the Texas Federation of Garden Clubs, and "Pioneer Mother", the official song of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.
Music of Texas
The following Texans have had a #1 Billboard Hot 100 hit (since 1957): Beyoncé (5 #1 hits like "Crazy in Love" in 2003), Destiny's Child (4 #1 hits like "Say My Name" in 2000), Kelly Rowland (4 #1 hits like Dilemma in 2002), Kelly Clarkson (3 #1 hits like "A Moment Like This" in 2002), rock and roll pioneer Roy Orbison (d.1988) (2 #1 hits like "Oh, Pretty Woman" in 1964), country singer Kenny Rogers (2 #1s like "Islands in the Stream" in 1983), Christopher Cross (2 #1s like "Sailing" in 1980), The Crickets (w/Buddy Holly (d.1959), "That'll Be the Day" in 1957), B.J. Thomas ("Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" in 1970), Janis Joplin (d.1970) ("Me and Bobby McGee" in 1971, she attended the University of Texas), Johnny Nash ("I Can See Clearly Now" in 1972), Meat Loaf ("I'd Do Anything for Love" in 1993), Lisa Loeb ("Stay (I Missed You)" in 1994), country group Lonestar ("Amazed" in 2000), Houston rapper Chamillionaire ("Ridin'" in 2006), and Dallas rapper Post Malone 2 #1's (like "Rockstar" in 2017).
Texas Longhorn
As Texas became more heavily settled following annexation by the US, the frontier gave way to established farms and ranch lands. The leaner beef of the Texas Longhorn was not as attractive in an era where tallow was highly prized, and the breed's ability to survive on the poor vegetation of the open range was no longer as much of an issue. Other breeds demonstrated traits more highly valued by the modern rancher, such as the ability to gain weight quickly. The Texas Longhorn stock slowly dwindled, until in 1927, when the breed was saved from near extinction by enthusiasts from the United States Forest Service, who collected a small herd of stock to breed on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Lawton, Oklahoma. The breed also received significant attention after a Texas Longhorn named "Bevo" was adopted as the mascot of The University of Texas at Austin in 1917, and an image of the animal became commonly associated with the school's sports teams, known as the Texas Longhorns. A few years later, J. Frank Dobie and others gathered small herds to keep in Texas state parks. Oilman Sid W. Richardson helped finance the project. They were cared for largely as curiosities, but the stock's longevity, resistance to disease and ability to thrive on marginal pastures quickly revived the breed as beef stock and for their link to Texas history. Texas Longhorns with elite genetics can often sell for $40,000 or more at auction, with the record of $380,000 on March 18, 2017 for a cow 3S Danica and heifer calf at side during the Legacy XIII sale in Fort Worth, Texas.
Lupinus havardii
Lupinus havardii is a species of lupine known by the common names Big Bend bluebonnet and Chisos bluebonnet. It is native to Texas and Chihuahua, where it blooms between January and June. Its habitat includes gravelly, fine talus, and the alluvial soils in the desert, valleys, hills, and mountain slopes.
The Purple Flower
The Purple Flower by Marita Bonner, is a one-act play typically considered to be Bonner's masterpiece. Not set in any specific place or time, it is a metaphor for racial issues in the U.S. Bonner was born on June 16, 1899, in Boston, Massachusetts. She had short stories and essays published in "" and "The Crisis" magazine. She became an important literary figure in the Harlem Renaissance era which is the root of her writing inspiration. "The Purple Flower" was first published in "The Crisis" in 1928. This play is an allegory for racism and sexism against black women. This play was never performed in Bonner's lifetime.The White Devils live on the hill where the purple flower of life grows. The Us's worked to build the town on the hill but are forced to live in the valley below, treated as outsiders. They spend their time figuring out how to get back up the hill while the White Devils try to keep them away, the White Devils do not want the Us's living amongst them. The play begins in the evening as the Us's listen to the White Devils singing on the hillside, they are singing to the Us's to stay where they are. The Us's discuss their dreams of finally getting to see the purple flower. An Old Lady claims that the "Leader" told them if they work hard enough for the White Devils, they can prove themselves. However, after two hundred years of slavery, the White Devils have still deemed them unworthy and they realize they have got nowhere.
2007 Texas Longhorns football team
Each 2007 Longhorn football helmet featured a Texas bluebonnet decal. The decal was chosen to honor President Lyndon B. Johnson, Lady Bird Johnson and the Johnson family. Brown said President Johnson used to enjoy discussing football with former UT coach Darrell K Royal, while the first lady was known for her conservation efforts, particularly the spread of native wildflowers.
List of Navy Midshipmen bowl games
The 1964 Cotton Bowl was played between the second-ranked Navy Midshipmen and the first-ranked Texas Longhorns. Navy was 9-1-0 and led by Heisman Trophy winner Roger Staubach. Texas was 10-0-0 and the AP national champion (the AP poll did not publish polls after the bowls at the time, so Texas was the season-ending AP #1 regardless of the outcome of the game). The game took place on January 1, 1964. Texas defeated Navy with a score of 28-6. The attendance was approximately 75,300. The game's MVP's were Texas' Scott Appleton and Duke Carlisle. Navy was coached by Wayne Hardin and Texas by Darrell Royal This was the first time the Cotton Bowl hosted both the #1 and #2 teams in the nation. It is just the second #1 vs #2 bowl game in college football history, the first being the 1963 Rose Bowl.
Blue Mound, Texas
The community's history dates back to the 1920s, when Scottish immigrant John Kennedy established Globe Laboratories, Inc. to produce serum to immunize cattle against blackleg, a disease that affected calves under two years of age. About ten years later, he sold the company to his partner. Kennedy later purchased of land in an area bordered by East McLeroy Boulevard on the north and FM 156 (Blue Mound Road) to the east. His interest in aircraft led him to create the Globe Aircraft Company. As his operation grew, more and more people began to settle near his plant. The settlement was initially known as Saginaw Park, but later took the name Blue Mound after a nearby hill. During the 1950s, Bell Helicopter used the Kennedy facility to develop its new helicopters, but the company left the facility in 1960. Blue Mound incorporated in 1957 and had a population of 1,253 by the 1960 census. That figure had risen to 1,283 by 1970 and 2,169 in 1980 as the city became a bedroom community for those employed in Fort Worth and the surrounding area. The 1990 census showed a slight decline in population, to 2,133. By 2000, the number of inhabitants had risen to 2,388.
Cucurbita texana
Cucurbita texana, also known as Cucurbita pepo" subsp. "texana and Texas gourd, is a mesophyte plant species of the genus "Cucurbita". It is native to Texas, primarily the southeastern region. It is found only in the wild. It is possibly a progenitor and close relative of the domesticated species "Cucurbita pepo", though it and wild "C. pepo" are native to different areas. "Cucurbita fraterna" is also closely related. It was first collected 1835 by J. L. Berlandier in southern Texas. It was formally described as "Tristemon texanus" by George Heinrich Adolf Scheele in 1848 and transferred to the genus "Cucurbita" by Asa Gray in 1850.
Mabrya flaviflora
Mabrya flaviflora is a mat-forming herbaceous perennial native to a small area in Baja California Norte, Mexico. It has pale yellow tubular flowers. It was first described by Ivan M. Johnston in 1924 in the genus "Maurandya" and transferred to "Mabrya" by Wayne J. Elisens in 1985 as "Mabrya geniculata" subsp. "flaviflora". It was restored to a full species within "Mabrya" by David A. Sutton in 1988. The epithet "flaviflora" means yellow-flowered.
List of Texas state symbols
A pledge of allegiance to the Texas flag was established in 1933.
Helianthus ciliaris
Helianthus ciliaris is a species of sunflower known by the common names Texas blueweed and yerba parda.
Bluebonnet Bowl
The Bluebonnet Bowl generally featured a team from Texas against an out-of-state opponent; 19 out of the 29 games involved a team from Texas. From 1980 to 1987, with the exception of 1981, a runner-up from the Southwest Conference played against an at-large opponent. The hometown Houston Cougars played in four games, all before joining the SWC. Runners-up from the Big 8 or Southeastern Conferences were also perennial participants.
Coat of arms of Texas
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 white star and olive and live oak branches, remained the basic emblems of Texas as represented in the state seal. However, many different variations of the seal emerged over the years containing incorrect or superfluous items such as decorative stars and diamonds and the incorrect type of oak leaves. By 1991, nearly twenty different versions of the seal were being used on various state documents and letterhead. The Texas State Seal Advisory Committee was appointed to develop uniform 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 basic historic elements representing Texas, the official design of the Texas State Arms was approved as well, and adopted in June 1992. 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.
Texas Cavalry Medal
The medal was designed by Anthony de Francisci based on design and imagery criteria specified by The Equipment Branch, Quartermaster General Department of the Army. The approved design is a bronze hexagonal medal in diameter. The obverse of the medal depicts the bluebonnet, the state flower of Texas. Inscribed around the edge are the words "AWARDED • BY • CONGRESS • FOR • SERVICE"; at the top of the medal and "TEXAS • CAVALRY"; at the bottom of the medal. The reverse of the medal bears the Coat of arms of Texas, a Lone Star encircled by a wreath, surrounded by the dates of service in 1918 when the cavalry became eligible for federal activation and the signing of the armistice to end World War I.
World's Largest Texas Flag
The original flag was given to Texas governor Price Daniel by Mississippi governor Ross Barnett during the halftime show of the 1962 Cotton Bowl (after which Texas beat Ole Miss 12-7). The flag was meant as a gesture of southern hospitality from the citizens of Mississippi to the citizens of Texas. Governor Daniel later gave the flag to the Longhorn Band. The band later, however, returned the flag to the university where it eventually made its way to the men's athletic department. The next football season, APO was asked to run the flag and the first APO flag run was at the Thanksgiving Day game in 1962 against Texas A&M. The original Texas flag measured 17 yards by 30 yards (51 feet by 90 feet). The second Texas flag was made and came into APO's possession around 1966. Unfortunately not much is known about this flag because the records have not survived. It is assumed to be roughly the same size as the first flag.http://studentorgs.utexas.edu/apo/texasflag.php
Bonham, Texas
Bonham, one of the oldest cities in Texas, dates back to 1837 when Bailey Inglish built a two-story blockhouse named Fort Inglish. It was located about from the current downtown. Inglish and other acquaintances settled there in the summer of 1837, and the settlement was named "Bois D'Arc". In 1843, the Congress of the Republic of Texas assigned the name "Bloomington" to the city, but finally renamed it "Bonham", in honor of James Butler Bonham, a hero and defender of the Alamo. On February 2, 1848, Bonham was incorporated as a city. A 1936 statue of Bonham by Texas sculptor Allie Tennant graces the courthouse grounds.
Eustoma russellianum
Eustoma russellianum, is a species of flowering plant in the gentian family. Its previous binomial name was "Eustoma grandiflorum". Common names include Texas bluebells, Texas bluebell, bluebell, showy prairie gentian, prairie gentian, and Lisianthus.
Iris (plant)
An iris — species unspecified — is one of the state flowers of Tennessee. It is generally accepted that the species "Iris versicolor", the Purple Iris is the state flower alongside the wild-growing purple passionflower ("Passiflora incarnata"), the state's other floral emblem. Greeneville, Tennessee, is home to the annual Iris Festival celebrating the iris, local customs, and culture. The species "Iris versicolor" is also the provincial flower of Quebec, having replaced the Madonna lily which is not native to the province. and it is the official flower of Kappa Pi International Honorary Art Fraternity.
Buddleja racemosa
Buddleja racemosa, commonly known as the Wand (or Texas) Butterfly Bush, is endemic to the southern edge of the limestone Edwards Plateau in Texas, United States, from Austin to Rocksprings, growing around streams, creeks and springs at elevations of 250 – 750 m. The plant was first named and described by John Torrey in 1859.
Thelocactus bicolor
Thelocactus bicolor, the glory of Texas, is a species of flowering plant in the cactus family, widely distributed in the northern Chihuahuan Desert of the USA (Texas) and Mexico. Plants are usually solitary, but may form clumps. Growing to tall, it is a perennial with spiny, ribbed, succulent stems. Large daisy-like flowers, up to in diameter, are borne in summer. The petals are purplish-pink, fading to white. The inner petal tips form a circle of red surrounding a prominent yellow boss.
Texas dollar
The Texas dollar, informally named the "Texas redback", was the paper money of the Republic of Texas. The Texas dollar was issued between January 1839 and September 1840 by Mirabeau B. Lamar to minimize national debt during his Presidency of the Republic of Texas. The name "redback" comes from the reddish color of the back of the bills. Inflation, due mainly to overprinting, devalued the notes substantially, making 15 redbacks equal to one United States dollar. This debt of over $10 million was an important factor for annexation into the United States.
Entheogen
Entheogens have played a pivotal role in the spiritual practices of most American cultures for millennia. The first American entheogen to be subject to scientific analysis was the peyote cactus ("Lophophora williamsii"). For his part, one of the founders of modern ethno-botany, the late-Richard Evans Schultes of Harvard University documented the ritual use of peyote cactus among the Kiowa, who live in what became Oklahoma. While it was used traditionally by many cultures of what is now Mexico, in the 19th century its use spread throughout North America, replacing the deadly toxic mescal bean ("Calia secundiflora") who are questioned to be an entheogen at all. Other well-known entheogens used by Mexican cultures include the alcoholic Aztec sacrament, pulque, ritual tobacco (known as 'picietl' to the Aztecs, and 'sikar' to the Maya (from where the word 'cigar' derives)), psilocybin mushrooms, morning glories ("Ipomoea tricolor" and "Turbina corymbosa"), and "Salvia divinorum".
Texas Longhorns
A charter member of the Southwest Conference until its dissolution in 1996, the Texas Longhorns now compete in the Big 12 Conference, as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The school's colors are officially Orange (Pantone 159) and White, with Burnt Orange — also known as Texas Orange – being the specific shade of orange used. The University of Texas Longhorn Band performs the alma mater ("The Eyes of Texas") as well as the university fight song ("Texas Fight") at various sporting events.
Blue Bell Creameries
By 1919, the Creamery was in financial trouble and considered closing its doors. The board of directors hired E.F. Kruse, a 23-year-old former schoolteacher, to take over the company on April 1, 1919. Kruse refused to accept a salary for his first few months in the position so that the company would not be placed in further debt. Under his leadership, the company expanded its production of ice cream to the surrounding Brenham area and soon became profitable. At his suggestion, the company was renamed Blue Bell Creameries in 1930 after the Texas Bluebell, a wildflower native to Texas, and which like ice cream thrives during the summer.
Republic of Texas
The first flag of the republic was the "Burnet Flag" (a single gold star on an azure field), followed in 1839 by official adoption of the Lone Star Flag.
History of Texas Longhorns football
After the 2003 season, Brown had a 59–18 (77%) win-loss record but had not managed to win the Big 12 conference or to lead the Longhorns to a Bowl Championship Series game. He was often lauded for his recruiting while being criticized for failing to win the big games and most importantly, championships. Texas would finish the 2003 season with a 10–3 record again finishing 2nd in the Big 12 conference. The 2004 Texas Longhorns football team became that first championship team for Mack Brown by going 10–1 and playing in their first BCS Game, in a rare move, broke up the Rose Bowl's tradition of Pac-10 vs Big 10. The 2005 Rose Bowl, Texas faced the Wolverines of the University of Michigan the first meeting between the two teams. For sixty minutes, Texas quarterback Vince Young broke down Michigan's defense. The Longhorns defeated the Wolverines 38–37 on a successful 37-yard field goal by place kicker Dusty Mangum as time expired. It was the first time the Rose Bowl had ever been decided on the closing play. The Rose Bowl victory earned the 11–1 Longhorns a top 5 finish in the polls for the season. With the Rose Bowl victory, Texas became only the fourth school in NCAA history to have won all four original New Year's Day bowl games (Rose, Sugar, Orange, and Cotton Bowls).
Castilleja indivisa
Texas paintbrush typically blooms in early to mid-spring, and thrives in well-drained areas with full sun. They can be seen along highways and in fields, complementing the deep blue of the bluebonnets.
USS San Antonio
As of August 2011, the Navy now says that all problems with the ship's engines have been corrected including "foreign material exclusion plugs left in the drain piping system, use of incorrect material and improper installation and sealing of gaskets".The colors of the shield and star are adapted from the Texan state flag. The star also commemorates the "Lone Star" and first ship to bear the name San Antonio. Red is the color for valor and sacrifice, blue is for loyalty and white, purity of purpose. The Alamo honors the men who were killed fighting for the independence of Texas from Mexico. The bluebonnets refer to the beauty and majesty of Texas and the olive branch highlights the ship's peacekeeping mission. The trident and cannon represent the old and new weaponry. The cannonballs and nineteenth century cannon were similar weapons used by the brave men that defended the Alamo. The trident, symbol of sea prowess, also represents the "mobility triad" that USS "San Antonio" is built for. The crossed Navy and Marine Corps swords represent cooperation and teamwork of the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps.
Mary of Jesus of Ágreda
San Angelo, Texas credits the abbess as a pioneering force behind the establishment of early Texas missions. Jumano Native Americans reminisce about her role in their survival, and her possible connection to the legend of Texas's state flower, the bluebonnet.
The Yellow Rose of Texas (song)
In September 1955, for six weeks, Mitch Miller had a "Billboard" number one hit with "The Yellow Rose of Texas", and 13 months later, Miller's hit version was used for a key scene in the 1956 Texas-based film "Giant". Miller's lyrics used "rosebud" and no words - except the term "yellow" - to indicate either Rose or the singer was a person of color. The 1955 song became a gold record. The song achieved the #2 position in the UK and the #1 position in Australia.This song became popular among Confederate soldiers in the Texas Brigade during the American Civil War; upon taking command of the Army of Tennessee in July 1864, General John Bell Hood introduced it as a marching song. The final verse and chorus were slightly altered by the remains of Hood's force after their crushing defeat at the Battle of Nashville that December:
Helianthus annuus
Although it was commonly accepted that the sunflower was first domesticated in what is now the southeastern US, roughly 5000 years ago, there is evidence that it was first domesticated in Mexico around 2600 BC. These crops were found in Tabasco, Mexico at the San Andres dig site. The earliest known examples in the United States of a fully domesticated sunflower have been found in Tennessee, and date to around 2300 BC. Other very early examples come from rockshelter sites in Eastern Kentucky. Many indigenous American peoples used the sunflower as the symbol of their solar deity, including the Aztecs and the Otomi of Mexico and the Incas in South America. In 1510 early Spanish explorers encountered the sunflower in the Americas and carried its seeds back to Europe. Of the four plants known to have been domesticated in what is now the eastern continental United States and to have become important agricultural commodities, the sunflower is currently the most economically important.
History of Texas Longhorns football
The next three seasons posted a 19–12 win-loss record, but in 1968 Royal became the first coach to install the Wishbone formation in the backfield led by a group of players that became known as the "Worster Bunch" consisting of All-American's Steve Worster, James Street, Billy Dale, Chris Gilbert, and Cotton Speyrer. With this powerful new offense in place, the 1968 team went 9–1–1 with a demolishing 36–13 victory over Tennessee in the Cotton Bowl Classic, one of the most complete and lopsided wins in all statistics since the 1941 win over Oregon, 71–7. The 1968 Texas team would finish 3rd in the AP poll but were crowned National Champions by various polls which are recognized by the NCAA.
Bluebonnet Bowl
Bowl games returned to Houston in 2000 with the Houston Bowl, and then the Texas Bowl since 2006.
Poinsettia
The poinsettia ( or ) ("Euphorbia pulcherrima") (also known as "Christmas Star") is a commercially important plant species of the diverse spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). The species is indigenous to Mexico. It is particularly well known for its red and green foliage and is widely used in Christmas floral displays. It derives its common English name from Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States Minister to Mexico, who introduced the plant to the US in 1825.
Johnny Burnette
As the Burnette Brothers, they released one single, for Imperial, "Warm Love" backed with "My Honey" (Imperial X5509), on May 5, 1958. It did not make the charts. After this failure, they continued to work together as songwriters but began to follow separate careers as performing artists. In 1961, however, Johnny and Dorsey released two instrumental singles, credited to the Texans, for two small labels, Infinity and Gothic: "Green Grass of Texas" backed with "Bloody River" (Infinity INX-001), released on February 20, 1961, and "Rockin' Johnny Home" backed with "Ole Reb" (Gothic GOX-001), released on May 29, 1961. Another instrumental, "Lonely Island" backed with"Green Hills" (Liberty 55460), credited to the Shamrocks, was released by Liberty Records on June 6, 1962. "Green Grass of Texas" and "Bloody River" were to be re-released in February 1965 on the Vee Jay label (VJ 658), again credited to the Texans.
Tamaulipa
The only known species is Tamaulipa azurea, is commonly known as blue boneset. The generic name refers to the State of Tamaulipas in northeastern Mexico, and to the Tamaulipan mezquital scrubland, which covers much of the state. The species also occurs in the extreme southern part of Texas (Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy Counties) in the United States. It is a climbing shrub or non-twining vine that grows to about and has bluish or blue lavender flowers.
Granbury, Texas
Granbury and Hood County are rich in Texas history. David (Davy) Crockett's wife, Elizabeth, settled in Hood County in 1853 following the Texas Revolution against Mexico. Crockett, as well as other Alamo participants, received 640 acres in land grants. The Crockett family received land in what is now Hood County. Elizabeth Crockett is buried in Acton State Historic Site, the smallest state park in Texas. A large statue of Elizabeth Crockett marks her grave site. Several of Crockett's descendants still reside in Hood County.
Alamo Fire
Maroon and white bluebonnets were developed as part of an effort to compose a Texas flag with red, white, and blue bluebonnets to celebrate Texas' sesquicentennial in 1986. Pink bluebonnets were found in San Antonio, and reddish examples were selectively bred by Dr. Jerry Parsons of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to eventually give maroon bluebonnets in 2000. The color of these bluebonnets was fitting, as the color maroon is strongly associated with Texas A&M University.
Steamboat House (Huntsville, Texas)
Bailey died shortly before Houston, and the house was inherited by his son Frank. The house was sold to A. C. McKeen, who sold it to Pleasant Kittrell in 1866. Kittrell died in 1867 as the result of the same yellow fever epidemic that claimed the life of Margaret Lea Houston. The house had numerous owners, until it was purchased in 1933 by businessman J.E. Josey, who deeded it to the Texas Historical Commission. The house was moved to the grounds of the university in 1936. It was designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1964.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys' blue star logo, representative of Texas as "The Lone Star State", is one of the most well-known team logos in professional sports. The blue star originally was a solid shape until a white line and blue border was added in 1964. The logo has remained the same since. Today, the blue star has been extended to not only the Dallas Cowboys, but owner Jerry Jones' AFL team, the Dallas Desperados that have a similar logo based on that of the Cowboys. The blue star also is used on other entries like an imaging facility and storage facility.
Blue Bonnet Court
The Blue Bonnet Court, originally called the Bluebonnet Tourist Camp, is a historic motor court-style motel in north-central Austin, Texas. Built in 1928-1929 by Joe and Elizabeth Lucas, the motel is situated on the northwestern corner of the Hyde Park subdivision along what was then the main road out of town. In the 1930s it featured Austin's first neon sign, which still hangs from the front (though in a dilapidated condition).
USS Texas (CGN-39)
The official crest of USS "Texas" CGN 39 was designed by Martha Bell, a freelance graphic designer and a Texan. The colors—red, white, and blue—represent the state flag of Texas. The anchor and the fouled line symbolize the Navy, while the Lone Star signifies the state of Texas. The atoms and orbits within the Lone Star represent the nuclear power characteristics of the ship. The three stars at the bottom represent the past United States ships named "Texas". The motto, "Proud Heritage, Proud Purpose", refers to the history and legacy of those ships, and their purpose: defense of the United States.
The Blue Rose of Texas
The Blue Rose of Texas is the country music artist Holly Dunn's fourth album, and the first with the Warner Bros. Records label. A single from this album, "Are You Ever Gonna Love Me", was her first number 1 Billboard country single. Another major hit from the album was the fourth track, "There Goes My Heart Again". Dolly Parton provides supporting vocals on her own "Most of All, Why" and Joe Diffie provides backing vocals on "There Goes My Heart Again". Dunn co-produced the album with her brother, Chris Waters.
Never Buy Texas from a Cowboy
Never Buy Texas from a Cowboy, released on Atlantic Records in November 1979, was the second album from the American female funk band, The Brides of Funkenstein. Morphing into a trio on the second album release, the vocalists consisted of Dawn Silva, Sheila Horne, and Jeanette McGruder. Horne and McGruder served as background vocalists on subsequent P-Funk concert tours.
Never Buy Texas From a Cowboy would be granted a Cashbox Rhythm & Blues Award in 1981 for 'Best Female Group'. The song slated for the award was the 1979 single "Didn't Mean To Fall In Love", written and produced by Ron Dunbar. The album's top single release, "Never Buy Texas From a Cowboy" became a hit in the Midwest, Europe and Asia. "Never Buy Texas from A Cowboy" resurfaced in 2001 with "Rolling Stone" rating this album as the top 50 coolest albums of all times.
Georgetown, Texas
Georgetown has a notable range of Victorian commercial and residential architecture. In 1976, a local historic ordinance was passed to recognize and protect the significance of the historic central business district, and in 1977, the Williamson County Courthouse Historical District, containing some 46 contributing structures, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Georgetown is also known as the "Red Poppy" Capital of Texas for the red poppy "(Papaver rhoeas)" wildflowers planted throughout the city. Georgetown's Red Poppy Festival, which attracts up to 30,000 visitors annually, is held in April each year on the historic square.
1975 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl
A loss to #2 Texas A&M in the final game of the season meant that Texas could not claim an outright Southwest Conference title. Colorado had finished 3rd in the Big Eight Conference. This was Colorado's first bowl game under Mallory, but their fourth overall appearance of the decade, in their first Bluebonnet Bowl since 1971. This was the 8th straight bowl appearance and first Blue Bonnet Bowl since 1966.
Bluebonnet Bowl
The bluebonnet is the state flower of Texas.
Smokey the Cannon
Smokey the Cannon is a famous replica Civil War artillery cannon that has served as part of the pageantry of college football games at the University of Texas at Austin since 1953. Smokey the Cannon is owned and operated by the Texas Cowboys (an honorary men's service organization at Texas) and is stationed in the left corner of the south endzone at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium during every Texas Longhorns home football game. After each football season, Smokey the Cannon is generally displayed in the Red McCombs Endzone atrium for the spring semester. In addition to all home football games, Smokey the Cannon is present at the annual Texas vs. Oklahoma Red River Rivalry game in Dallas, Texas every October, as well as at other select football games outside of Austin, Texas (barring local and stadium permission). Recently, Smokey the Cannon was present at the 2011 Holiday Bowl, in which the Texas Longhorns beat the Cal Golden Bears 21-10 on December 29, 2011; former Texas Cowboy Oldman, Blaine Irby caught 1 pass for 30 yards in the win.
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative
Bluebonnet’s service area stretches from Travis County to Washington County and from Milam County to Gonzales County. Bluebonnet currently serves over 90,000 meters and owns and maintains more than 11,000 miles of power lines, which are located across 3,800 square miles within 14 southeastern Texas counties.
Texas Bowl
The Texas Bowl is a post-season NCAA-sanctioned Division I FBS college football bowl game first held in 2006 in Houston, Texas. The bowl replaced the defunct Houston Bowl, which played annually from 2000 to 2005, and before that the Bluebonnet Bowl, the first bowl game in Houston, played from 1959 through 1987.
Greater Austin
Outside of Austin many communities host local events of their own. Marble Falls hosts the "Bluebonnet Blues and Fine Arts Festival", an event that attracts artists and performers from around the state to the community's downtown. Burnet hosts the Spring "Bluebonnet Festival", which features a golf tournament, car shows, vintage airplane shows, and other activities. The "Old Settler's Music Festival" in Driftwood features live outdoor performances ranging from folk music to bluegrass and jazz. Some area communities host civic heritage festivals including the "Cedar Park Heritage Festival" and the "Chisolm Trail Round Up" in Lockhart. The "Oktoberfest" celebration in Fredericksburg is one of the largest and most traditional in Texas.
List of Vermont state symbols
The red clover ("Trifolium pratense") was designated as the state flower in 1895. The red clover is often seen in the countryside of Vermont hosting the state insect – the western honey bee ("Apis mellifera"), designated by Act 124 of the 1978 biennial session of the Vermont General Assembly. A natural companion and frequent visitor to the state flower, the honey bee was chosen for its agricultural benefits, and for being a "social" insect and representing the unity side of Vermont's state motto Freedom and Unity.
Lady Bird Johnson
In 1995, the National Wildflower Research Center—near Austin, Texas—was renamed the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. She and actress Helen Hayes had founded the center in 1982.
Red Steagall
The Texas Legislature named Red Steagall the Official Cowboy Poet of Texas in April 1991. Steagall was an early participant in the American Cowboy Culture Association, which holds the annual National Cowboy Symposium and Celebration each September in Lubbock.
History of Texas forests
Efforts to preserve what remained of the forests began to emerge. The East Texas Big Thicket Association was formed in the 1920s to preserve what little remained of the Big Thicket. Though its impact was limited it demonstrated increasing concern about the woodlands. In 1924 the state forester E. O. Siecke succeeded in establishing the first state forest in Texas (named E. O. Siecke State Forest in 1951). The forest consisted of near Kirbyville. By 1925 additional state forest lands had been acquired in Cherokee and Montgomery Counties.
Lupinus
Bluebonnets, including the Texas bluebonnet ("L. texensis"), are the state flowers of Texas, USA.
Cnidoscolus texanus
Cnidoscolus texanus, commonly known as Texas bullnettle, treadsoftly, and mala mujer, is a perennial herb covered with stinging hairs, native to the U.S. states of Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. It is also native to the northern Mexican state Tamaulipas. It is an herbaceous flowering plant that grows between tall and as much as across.
Smokey (mascot)
The late Rev. W. C. "Bill" Brooks entered his prize-winning bluetick coonhound, "Brooks' Blue Smokey", in the school's contest. At halftime of the Mississippi State game that season, several dogs were lined up on the old cheerleaders' ramp at Shields–Watkins Field for voting. Each dog was introduced over the loudspeaker, and the student body cheered for their favorite. "Blue Smokey" was the last hound introduced. When his name was called, he barked. The students cheered and Smokey threw his head back and howled again. This kept going until the stadium was in an uproar, and the University had found its mascot. "Blue Smokey" would compile a 10-10-1 record during his two seasons as Vols mascot. Tennessee's first mascot met a sudden and tragic end in 1955, as he was fatally struck by a car after escaping from his home.
2005 Texas Longhorns football team
Texas' Rose Bowl win was the 800th victory in school history and it earned the Longhorns their fourth consensus national championship in football. Since the game, the media, coaches, and other commentators have heaped praise upon the Texas team, Young, and the Rose Bowl performance. Both the Rose Bowl win as well as the Longhorns' overall season have both been cited as standing among the greatest performances in college football history by observers such as "College Football News", the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution", "Scout.com", "Austin American-Statesman", and "Sports Illustrated". ESPN awarded the two teams the 2006 ESPY Award for the "Best Game" in any sport.
Texas' win over USC was their ninth consecutive victory when facing a ranked opponent. Texas broke USC's winning streak (then the longest in the nation) at 34 and claimed the longest running winning streak for themselves at 20 wins in a row. Texas' 20-game winning streak was the second-longest winning streak in school history; Texas had 30 wins in a row from 1968 to 1970. Texas extended the winning streak to 21 before a September 9, 2006, loss to Ohio State University. In beating USC, Texas defeated a No. 1 ranked team for the first time since defeating Alabama in the Orange Bowl on January 1, 1965. The Longhorns ended the season ranked third in the all-time list of both total wins and winning percentage (.7143).