Texas

Fun Facts About Texas

• Texas was its own country before joining the United States. From 1836 to 1846, the Republic of Texas had its own constitution, elected presidents, and even maintained a military.
• If Texas were still a sovereign nation, it would rank as the 39th largest country by land area. That makes it larger than roughly 160 other countries, including every European nation.
• Texas hosts the world's largest urban bat colony. Approximately 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from under a bridge in Austin each night, creating a major tourist attraction that brings around 140,000 visitors annually.
• The motto "Don't Mess with Texas" evolved from an anti-litter slogan created in 1985. It was not originally meant to express the state's rugged, independent identity — only to reduce roadside litter.
• There's a town in Texas named Cut and Shoot. Other odd town names include Bug Tussle, Oatmeal, Gun Barrel City, Ding Dong, and Nameless.
• Dr Pepper was invented in Waco, Texas in 1885. That precedes Coca-Cola by one year. The beverage is a blend of 23 flavors, including black licorice, ginger, clove and root beer. This blend is what gives Dr. Pepper its signature peppery kick.
• One of the oldest living oak trees in the world is in Texas. It is estimated to be 1,000–2,000 years old, has a circumference of over 35 feet, a height of 45+ feet, and a crown spread of 90 feet.
• Technically it is illegal to milk someone else's cow in Texas. The law dates back to the 1800s and was originally meant to prevent cattle theft.