Tell me something I don't know.....

[Mark Michaels]

Obscurities Dept. Revisited

Texas is the only state that, before becoming a state, was an independent country (the Republic of Texas). As such, its flag is displayed with the same respect that the Stars and Stripes is shown.

Yup.

[MoparNorm]

Texas is the only state that, before becoming a state, was an independent country (the Republic of Texas). As such, its flag is displayed with the same respect that the Stars and Stripes is shown.

Yup.

Wrong!
California and Texas were BOTH independent countries and Both have "Republic" and a star on their flags.
Unfortunately someone allowed CA to join the US... ; )

[MoparNorm]

Reno, Nevada is farther west than San Diego, California.

Honest...

It's also farther west than Los Angeles...; )

[Mark Michaels]

Not Exactly, Norm Dept.

The California Bear Republic lasted 26 days (June 14, 1846 to July 9, 1846), ending when John C. Fremont annexed the republic to the United States. When California became a state in 1850, it had been a U.S. possession for four years.

[Aaron S]

What about Hawaii? Weren't they independent at some point before we annexed them?

[Mark Michaels]

Absolutely Correct Dept.

Both you and Norm are correct in that California and Hawaii were independent entities before becoming states. What I was getting at in my post - and didn't - was that only Texas came into the Union as an independent republic. Hawaii and CA were both territories, as was Alaska, when statehood was granted.

Why is this important? I have no clue...

And here's a question for you Texans out there, and no looking up the answer!

Name the six flags that flew over Texas, and the historical order they were used.

[712edf]

Er I should know this.

I'm gonna guess Spain, France, Mexico, Rep of Texas, United States...... that's only 5..... maybe confederate counts too, I dunno.

I was born in Ft. Worth & should really know this.....

The original "Six Flags over Texas" theme park opened in Arlington in 1961. Still in operation. I haven't been there since 1978 when I was 10. The giant observation tower was once a multi-laned slide that was closed in mid 70's.

Bucky

[Aaron S]

I believe it was France first, then Spain, Mexico, Texas, U.S., and the Confederacy... its been a long time since Texas history in the seventh grade.

One thing I've been curious about... in seventh grade we did a whole year of Texas history, and that was our history class for that year. Have any other Texans out there had this same experience or was it unique to my school?

Have any of you from any other state had a similar experience of spending a whole school year learning the history of your state?

I mentioned this to some friends from Michigan once and they were incredulous that any state would be conceited enough to have their students waste a whole year just studying the history of that state... but they did allow that if any state was that conceited it would be Texas.

[iranch]

State history

I did South Dakota history in 7th grade. It was a state wide requirement, every seventh grader in the state took the class. We also had a required class in 8th grade called Government, I don't remember some of the things that go on today being covered in that class, but hey, that was over 50 years ago.

It must have been back when education was real.

Dennis

[712edf]

Aaron,
I moved out of state from 1st grade until middle of 8th grade..... but I do recall that when I was in 8th grade the 7th graders were all taking Texas History.

So I think it was a statewide thing, Texas History in 7th grade!

BTW never ask someone if they are from Texas..... If they are they're gonna tell ya anyways. If they are not, you'll just embarass them. Yes we can be a conceited lot. HA

Back to the original thread content: Latex paint brushes (synthetic bristle) are easier to clean-up after use if you pre-coat the bristles with WD-40 before use.

Bucky

[QuantumJo]

There is no evidence that a 757 ever hit The Pentagon.

[NNICKB]

There has been talk of splitting Alaska in half so that Texas would be the third largest state.

[Mark Michaels]

The truth Finally Comes Out...

There is no evidence that a 757 ever hit The Pentagon.

This is correct. What actually happened is that, on Sept. 11, 2001, the Pentagon was struck by a 727 - a gigantic flying Torqueflite transmission...

[712edf]

Vintage NFL

Jim Brown never ran out of bounds (sideline). He was tackled & forced out of bounds though.

Also played every game in his 9 seasons on the Browns.

Bucky

[Gordon Maney]

My dog likes bananas.