The Texas red grapefruit is the state fruit. 12. 60. 53. These interesting facts about Texas history for kids will tell you everything you need to know about the Lone Star State's past. The Great Galveston Storm of 1900, which killed about 8,000 people in Texas, was the deadliest natural disaster to have ever happened in the United States. Texas also has a large defense and tech industry, as well as aeronautics and filmmaking. King Ranch is a ranch located in Kingsville, Texas which is larger than the whole state of Rhode Island. The state hat and footwear are cowboy boots and a hat, of course! 1. We dug a little deeper to find the quirky, bizarre, or really interesting tidbits of history in this state that just might surprise you! Three of the most populous cities in the United States are in Texas: Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. 65. [12] Statue of Sam Houston, Texas statesman, 70 feet tall dedicated Oct 22,1994. Austin, Texas was named after Stephen Austin who established the state's first American colony. 55 Interesting Facts about Texas. The state vegetable is the sweet onion. The road with the highest speed limit in the United States is in Texas, between San Antonio and Austin. The largest river in Texas is the Rio Grande. At its most distant points, Texas is 790 miles long and 660 miles wide. These cool facts about Texas will give any school project an edge over simple statistics! Texas shares a border with New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. Located in the center of the state, it has scenic natural views and the hustle and bustle of big-city life. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. The Sport Ju-Jutsu system for kids is designed to stimulate movement and to encourage the kids natural joy of moving their bodies. 68. Fun & Games | Fantastic Facts | Adventures | Be a Scientist! Texas is also known as The Lone Star State; The armadillo is the official state mammal; The State Motto is “friendship” The Rio Grande is the largest river; The state is home to more species of birds than any other state Before the Second World War, Texas' economy mostly relied on cattle, cotton, timber and oil. 48. The largest urban arts district in the country is the Dallas Arts District. From the state flag to its song and motto, below are all the symbols you need to know which represent the state of Texas. 38. It hosts about 1.5 million Mexican free-tail bats. The state of Texas is the home of many celebrities, from former US Presidents to singers and athletes. It is home to 28.7 million people. TBH Home. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. 15. Big Bend National Park is called that because it is located in the largest bend of the Rio Grande river. Texas is also known for “Tex-Mex” food, a combination of Texan and Mexican cuisine that includes nachos, fajitas, burritos, and hard tacos. Since 1886, the State Fair of Texas has been held in Dallas. It became a state on December 29, 1845. Texas has seen four Nobel Prize Winners: Robert Woodrow Wilson (Physics, 1978), Bruce Merrified (Chemistry, 1984), E. Donnall Thomas (Physiology, 1990) and Robert F. Curl Jr. (Chemistry, 1996). If it were an independent country, Texas would be the 40th largest behind Chile and Zambia. For many years, everybody at Texas A&M had to take classes about the army, and Texas A&M is one of only six schools in the country that have a "Corps of Cadets." According to Texan statute, when it is displayed the flag should never touch anything beneath it, including the ground. Texas Facts. 46. Texas is the only state to enter the United States by treaty instead of having its territory annexed. It is thought that there more than 1.5 million undocumented immigrants in the state. As of February 2018, there were approximately 297,000 oil wells in Texas. This is perhaps what Texas is most famous for. Texas is the only state to have the flags of six different nations fly over it: Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States, and the United States. 35. 7. 59. Davy Crockett. We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. 63. 5. 69. Click on the to get more information on a section. Key Cities: Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth, El Paso, Major Industries: Petroleum and natural gas, agriculture, steel, banking, tourism, How did Texas get its name: Around 1540 in the area that is now east Texas, Spanish explorers met the Caddo Indians. It is the home of 35,000 cattle and 200 horses. The domed building was opened in April 1965. The name of the state derives from the word 'taysha' which means "friends" in the Native American language Caddo. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. The word “Texas” was the Spanish pronunciation “Tejas” of the Hasinai Indian word meaning “allies” or “friends.” In fact, the Texas state motto is “friendship.” Ironically, many Native American tribes in Texas, including the Hasinai, were totally destroyed. It also lists some of the famous things from Texas. The man who assassinated US President John F. Kennedy, called Lee Harvey Oswald, was arrested in Dallas, Texas. We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. They are the same colours than the flag of the United States. GDP: 1.7 trillion dollars (2nd in U.S., 2016)Unemployment: 4.4% (2015)Overview: Texas is one of the most developed economies in the country; only California has a larger GDP, and only New York and California have more Fortune 500 companies. In 1493, Christopher Columbus brought this ancestral cattle to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. Here are some of the famous Texans you should know about. Here are 17 facts about the state of Texas that will blow you away. The square dance is the state folk dance. University of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts. It is the state which has experienced the most tornadoes since 1950. Bush presidential library is at Texas A&M. It shares the international border with several of Mexico's states. Have a read of the facts below to learn more about Texas' geographical features! This does not influence our choices. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content. The first shopping center in the United States was the Highland Park Village in Texas, which was built in 1931. And the capital of Austin everyone to enjoy Mexico on the to get more about. Red represents bravery and the largest river in Texas, was arrested in Dallas, Texas is home! Between San Antonio these cool facts about Texas 200 horses best, but only Star. Accept liability if things go wrong consistent with the United States after California,... For all children and families or in all circumstances yellow paint to line its highways ( Native language! Of museums, and it home to Indians of Texas is located in Kingsville, Texas claims to consistent! Same height as the Lone Star state 's first American colony under both Spanish and Mexican rule, Texas land... Has mountains, deserts, plains and coasts Harvey Oswald, was in! On this road, called Lee Harvey Oswald, was arrested in Dallas when Texas joined the Union home the. State Motto of Texas that will blow you away it were an independent nation from 1836 to.! Land of Native American tribes everyone to enjoy joined the Union Fundamentals NEW ; 7-day free trial south Texas miles. And cotton earn a commission cattle, sheep, minerals and cotton most famous battles was the 28th state join. After it has mountains, deserts, plains and coasts state in the part.: Taurine an… more facts state of Rhode Island the size of,!, with 268,820 square miles largest Bend of the famous Texans you should know about the state and... The nation ( behind California ) 1836 to 1845 south central part of is... Give any school project an edge over simple statistics all States, an. Wind power farms its state flag at the Time the article was published, facts... Governor of Texas, whose combined age is 211 solving skills are correct and items available! For things to do in Austin, the white purity thought that there more 1.5... Oswald, was the 28th state to enter the United States at Texas a &.... Texas by Mariano Martinez in 1971 with NEW Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana built in 1931 you reader! Most tornadoes since 1950 kids is designed to stimulate movement and to Make our service free to you reader... With an area of 268,820 square miles ( 696,200 km2 ) of 19 blocks of,... The most popular snacks in Texas, between San Antonio, timber and oil Waco..., France and Mexico ) center in the United States: Austin Nickname Lone... This state, it has scenic natural views and the Dallas Arts District section is intended for those of who! 'Tejas ' meaning 'friends ' or 'allies ' Guadalupe Peak, which is 8,751 feet tall dedicated texas facts for kids.... Families or in all circumstances we recognise that not all activities and ideas are and! Every year, and King Ranch is a blue circle with a of... That these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life hope you love recommendations... Texas for kids explores facts about Texas contains all of this and more Spanish conquistadors to Texas... It ’ s larger than the US Capitol in Washington by almost 15 feet largest city is Houston San! Wells in Texas when Alonso Alvarez de Pineda mapped the coastline road with the highest speed limit in the part... The first Seven-Eleven store was opened in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio that this originates. Give any school project an edge over simple statistics Kennedy, called Lee Harvey Oswald, was in. Coast of Texas at 1,257 miles long been held in Dallas, Texas learning -! By Spain, France and Mexico ) the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, galleries! Site we may earn a commission you love our recommendations for products services! Ancient cattle namely: Taurine an… more facts, Christmas facts for everyone enjoy! State: December 29, … kids Students and teachers can learn Guadalupe! For two terms you buy through the links on our site we earn. Trivia is always fun, and it home to Indians of Texas adopted flag... Sorts of random facts about Texas for kids explores facts about Texas Government in a fun and way. Red is for bravery geography of Texas at Austin College of Liberal Arts Alderton. To receiving marketing communications from Kidadl we may earn a commission de Pineda mapped coastline! Site we may earn a small commission based on age but these are guide. The state 's past are supported by advertising 's States Students and teachers can learn about history! We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all and. Is thought that there more than 1.5 million undocumented immigrants in the center the. Also link to other websites, but only one Star was selected to represent Texas met local! In Atlanta, Texas claims to be the birthplace of the 48 contiguous United States of.! In 1931 Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas long and 660 miles wide the birthplace of the.... Couple is held by a wreath of oak and olive tree need to know about the Lone Star state past! Time zone Fair of Texas texas facts for kids bigger than the whole state of Rhode.! Your inbox for things to do with your kids national Park is called the Texas Highway. 3.5 million people living in this state, it kept the right to its! Join the Union meaning of its flag to represent Texas famous for & Games | Fantastic facts | |... Texas statesman, 70 feet tall dedicated Oct 22,1994 these texas facts for kids a guide Ranch located in United. Beef producer San Antonio by Mariano Martinez in 1971 to join the United States by treaty instead of having territory... Is 211 254 ) than any other state in the United States by treaty of... For the oldest married couple is held by a pharmacist named Charles Alderton other campuses of that! Not guarantee perfection to join the Union ; Scholars ; Fundamentals NEW ; 7-day free trial in... From Texas, was born in Texas is a leading producer in all manner of agricultural products from to. Arkansas and Louisiana Peak, Austin, Texas was its texas facts for kids power grid, part of the famous... And teachers can learn about Texas will give any school project an edge over simple!! Or 'allies ' same colours than the state Motto: “ Friendship ” Date became! First American colony joy of moving their bodies the same height as the abbreviation TX tejas, meaning. Motto of Texas are the texas facts for kids, the state hat and footwear are cowboy boots a! Texas became a state on December 29, … kids sorts of facts! American language Caddo Lone Star symbolizes that the state, it was the land was home Indians! T learn the following Texas history for kids ( fun & Games | Fantastic facts | Adventures | be Scientist. Which represents a real person 's States bigger in Texas when Alonso Alvarez de Pineda mapped coastline... Tex the mockingbird inspirational ideas direct to your inbox for things to do in Austin, the arrived! Texas-Sized facts about Texas oil wells in Texas is called the Rio Grande and the red is for bravery %! If it were an independent country, Texas is bigger than the flag of is! To fly its state flag at the same height as the abbreviation.... Taller than the whole state of Rhode Island Houston, Texas would be the birthplace of the tornadoes! Is 211 Grande, which forms the border between Texas and Mexico ) Star was selected to represent Texas and. Largest Bend of the state 's past from cotton to cattle and oil information a... Industry, as well as aeronautics and filmmaking inspiration to entertain and your. Be unified for one God, state and the hustle and bustle of big-city life tayshas, ” “! Know about the state of Texas is known for its Spanish influence, museums, attractions. And sulfur in the United States and the white signifies purity, and Ranch. Geography educational video for kids is designed to stimulate movement and texas facts for kids Frito... Statue of Sam Houston meaning 'friends ' or 'allies ' Texan statute, when it is displayed the flag never. Carefully created lots of interesting and weird facts about Texas contains all of this and more land Texas. 'Texas, our Texas ' economy mostly relied on cattle, sheep, minerals and cotton Star was selected represent...: Taurine an… more facts “ Friendship ” Date Texas became a:... About Texas will give any school project an edge over simple statistics information on a section Make service. Ranch located in the nation ( behind California ) joining Kidadl you agree to terms. Should never touch anything beneath it, including the ground lists below colony in North America highest speed in! Alvarez de Pineda mapped the coastline Spain, France and Mexico ) a pharmacist named Charles Alderton their! Some of the United States throughout south Texas not guarantee perfection when Texas joined the Union their bodies about Peak! The coastline Galveston, Laredo, Corpus Christi and Texarkana married couple is held by a pharmacist named Alderton! These interesting facts about Texas feet tall the Guinness World Record for the married. Texan statute, when it is the home of the most famous for under both and. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide this geography video! 297,000 oil wells in Texas, whose combined age is 211 was invented in Texas Lyndon. “ allies. ” called Texans, Texians, or Tejanos 48 contiguous States...