Where Did The Term “Six Flags Over Texas” Come From?

 

The first flag belonged to Spain (1519-1821), the second was the royal banner of France (1685-1690), the third was the flag of Mexico (1821-1836), the fourth belonged to the Republic of Texas (1836-1845), the fifth was the flag of the United States (1845-1861 and 1865-present) and, upon secession, Texas replaced the U.S. flag with one for the Confederate States of America (1861-1865). 

 

The term “Six Flags” has been incorporated into theme parks (Six Flags), shopping malls, and other venues. The six flags are also shown on thereverse of the Seal of Texas, and the Six coats of arms displayed under the Texas State Capitol Dome.

 

The first flag belonged to Spain, which ruled most of Texas from 1519 to 1821. There were two versions of the Spanish flag used during this period. Both designs incorporate the “castle and lion” emblems of the Crown of Castile (see Flag of Castile and León).

The Spanish flag used in the reverse of the Seal of Texas, which was also adopted by the Texas State HistoricalCommission, is the flag adopted by King Charles III, containing horizontal stripes of red-gold-red and the simple arms of Castile and León. This flag was used by Spain from 1793 to 1931, and from 1936 to the present day (though the current Spanish flag now has a different coat of arms).

 

France (1684 to 1690 for Fort Saint Louis and 1800 to 1803 for French Louisiana) Bourbon royal 

standard Pavillon royal de France.

The second flag was the royal banner of the Kingdom of France from 1684 to 1690. 

In 1684, French nobleman René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, founded a colony on the Texas Gulf Coast called Fort Saint Louis. The colony was unsuccessful, and after La Salle’s murder,was soon abandoned.  During this time, there was no official French flag, so a number of designs are used in displays of the “six flags”

Later on in 1800, Spain ceded Louisiana to France under the Third Treaty of San Ildefonso. French Louisiana included northern sections of Texas. It remained in the hands of France until 1803, when France sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States. However, what would later be northern Texas was sold back to Spain years later after.

Mexico (1821 to 1836) Flag of Mexico (1823-1864, 1867-1893)

The third flag flown (1821 through 1836) was the flag of Mexico. Mexico’s independence was recognized by Spain in 1821. The Mexican flag displayed in the Austin Capitol is the one of the Mexican Republic of 1823 through 1864. This flag was in use in Texas until its independence from Mexico in 1836 (Texas’ declaration of independence)

Republic of Texas (1836 to 1845 as the Republic of Texas; 1845-present as the State of Texas)

Flag of 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.

 

United States of America (1845 to 1861 and 1865 to present)

US flag 28 stars. The fifth and current flag is that of the United States of America, 

which Texas joined in 1845. Upon secession Texas abandoned this flag for its sixth, until readmission to the Union in 1865.

 

Confederate States of America (1861 to 1865)Flag of the Confederate States of 

America (March 1861 – May 1861)

The sixth flag belonged to the Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865. During this time, the Confederacy had three national flags.

Source: Wikipedia