Uncovering America's Heritage... Coin by Coin

2004 Texas Quarter

Well, howdy, y'all!  This is Goldie with a new quarter for June's coin of the month.  It's the quarter of the lone star state, Texas, and June marks the quarter's first appearance.

But let me tell you about another June in the history of Texas...June of 1845, back when Texas was a separate country!

You see, before 1836, most of Texas wasn't part of the Louisiana Territory; it was part of Mexico.  But in 1836, Texas fought with Mexico and won independence.  That made Texas a separate country, and Sam Houston became the first President of the Republic of Texas.

But Sam Houston wanted Texas to join up with the United States.  Right away, the leaders of Texas voted to join...but Congress wasn't sure it was the best thing at the time and turned them down.

Almost ten years later—June 23, 1845—Congress agreed to admit Texas as the 28th state.  The flag of the Republic of Texas, with its lone star, became the flag of the state of Texas, our biggest state until Alaska came along.  Yee-ha!