When I began this article, I had the thought of writing about some of the important events in Texas History that occurred in March. Two of the most notable days are:
- March 2, 1836: The Texas Declaration of Independence is signed at the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos.
- March 6, 1836: Colonel William B. Travis and the Alamo defenders are overwhelmed by Santa Anna and his Mexican troops.
Soon, I was wondering if “Texas History Month” was official, or just what my History teacher (way back when) had called it. I soon was lost down a different ‘rabbit trail’.
Texas Legislature
Soon, I was wondering if “Texas History Month” was official, or just what my History teacher had called it. I soon was lost down a different ‘rabbit trail’.
I ended up at Chapter 662 of the Texas Government Code “Holidays and Recognition Days, Weeks, and Months”. I did not find anything surprising in the first two subchapters, “Holidays for State Employees” and “Legal Holidays”.
However, I spent time reading the other three subchapters: the official Texas Recognition Days, Week, and Months. I strolled through this document and noted a few things.
Recognition Days
The earliest notation in this document was “added by Acts 1993, 73rd Legislature” and specified five dates:
- January 6 – Sam Rayburn Day
- April 9 – Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day
- Second Monday of October is Columbus Day
- November 3 – Father of Texas Day
- May 22 through May 26 is International Trade Awareness Week
There are now more than 40 Recognition Days including “Dr. Hector P. Garcia Day”, “National Day of the Cowboy”, “BRAVE Day”, “Master Sergeant Jonathan J. Dunbar Day”, “Blue Tie Day”, and many more.
The most recent additions were added in 2023
- June 28 – Special Forces Day
- March 4 – COVID-19 Heroes and Memorial Day
Recognition Months
- In 1999, the 76th Leg. added “July is Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Month”
- In 2003, the 78th Legislature unanimously passed amendment which proclaimed: “March is Texas History Month”.
So my History teacher was ahead of her time. Now March is officially “Texas History Month”. So get out your old history books and re-read a few chapters.
(One more note) Just in case any of you may be curious about the other Texas Recognition Days, Week, and Months, here is a link to the Statute.