Happy Texas Independence Day!

On this day in 1836, Texas declared independence from Mexico and the Republic of Texas was created. Although, it wasn't until April 21st that Texas won the famous Battle of San Jacinto and the following captured the "President-General" Santa Anna (a decisive turning point in the war). As every Texas learns in Texas History classes in middle school, for almost 10 years, Texas existed as its own nation. In 1845, Texas joined the Union, but a sense of nationalism still lingers among Texans. John Steinbeck wrote: "Texas is a state of mind. Texas is an obsession. Above all, Texas is a nation in every sense of the word."

Here are some fun facts about Texas:

• The King Ranch in Texas is bigger than the state of Rhode Island.
• Texas boasts the nation's largest heard of whitetail deer. (Is it any wonder since Texans love guns so much?)
• Dr Pepper was invented in Waco in 1885. The Dublin Dr Pepper, 85 miles west of Waco, still uses pure imperial cane sugar in its product. There is no period after the Dr in Dr Pepper.
• The armadillo is the official state mammal.
• Texas' largest county is Brewster with 6208 square miles. (Rhode Island is 1214 square miles which includes 165 square miles of inland water.)
• El Paso is closer to Needles, CA than to Dallas. (One more reason why we only keep it to even out the "shape" of Texas on maps.)
• Amarillo has the world's largest helium well.