How Well Do You Know Texas?

1.

How many defenders of the Alamo were killed on March 6, 1836?

A.

1 -- only Davy Crockett
B.

248
C.

190

Correct Answer
C. 190

Explanation
All 190 defenders of the Alamo were killed during the Battle of the Alamo on March, 1836.

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2.

True or False: In Texas, it is illegal to put graffiti on someone else's cow.

A.

True
B.

False

Correct Answer
A. True

Explanation
No one seems to know why this law was ever created. Maybe someone showed up in church with this stinky cheese!

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3.

Flags that have flown over Texas are those of Spain, Mexico, Republic of Texas, The Confederacy, and The United States. What is the sixth flag of the proverbial "Six Flags Over Texas?"

A.

Germany
B.

England
C.

France
D.

Sweden

Correct Answer
C. France

Explanation
The sixth flag of the proverbial "Six Flags Over Texas" is France. This is because throughout history, Texas has been under the rule of various nations, including Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederacy, and the United States. France is the sixth flag because it is one of the nations that has had control over Texas at some point in time.

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4.

What is the longest river in the state of Texas?

A.

Colorado
B.

Rio Grande
C.

Red River
D.

Mississippi

Correct Answer
B. Rio Grande

Explanation
The Rio Grande is the longest river in the state of Texas. It forms part of the border between Texas and Mexico, stretching over 1,900 miles. The river is significant for its role in providing water for irrigation, as well as being a major transportation route. Its length and importance make it the correct answer to this question.

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5.

What is the origin of the Texas Longhorn?

A.

Stephen F. Austin introduced them when bringing settlers into Texas.
B.

Christopher Columbus brought them to Santa Domingo and they were later introduced into the mainland and herded northward to what is now Texas.
C.

They were a gift from President Andrew Jackson to Sam Houston.

Correct Answer
B. Christopher Columbus brought them to Santa Domingo and they were later introduced into the mainland and herded northward to what is now Texas.

Explanation
In 1493 Christopher Columbus and Spanish Conquistadors brought Spanish cattle to Santa Domingo, and within two hundred years their descendants would be grazing the ranges of Mexico. In 1690, the first herd of cattle, only about 200 head, were driven northward from Mexico to a mission near the Sabine River-a land that would become known as Texas. The early missions and ranchers would not survive all of the elements, but the Texas Longhorn would. ~from The History of the Texas Longhorn, by the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America.

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6.

For how many straight-line miles does the state of Texas extend from north to south?

A.

801
B.

1057
C.

678

Correct Answer
A. 801

Explanation
Texas extends approximately 801 straight-line miles from north to south.

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7.

Which states were a part of the original Republic of Texas?

A.

New Mexico
B.

Oklahoma
C.

Louisiana
D.

Wyoming
E.

All of the Above

Correct Answer(s)
A. New Mexico
B. Oklahoma
D. Wyoming

8.

In 1845, the Republic of Texas was annexed as the 28th state of The United States. Which of these statements about the Texas Annexation Treaty are true?

A.

Texas reserved the right to secede from the Union.
B.

It gave Texas the option to divide into four states.
C.

The offshore boundaries of Texas extend 10 miles, instead of the traditional 3 miles of most state's boundaries.
D.

It gave Texas the right to fly the Texas flag the same height as The United States flag.
E.

All of the above.

Correct Answer(s)
A. Texas reserved the right to secede from the Union.
B. It gave Texas the option to divide into four states.
C. The offshore boundaries of Texas extend 10 miles, instead of the traditional 3 miles of most state's boundaries.

Explanation
A, B, and C are true. Many people believe D is also true, but "it is a common urban legend that the Texas flag is the only state flag that is allowed to fly at the same height as the U.S. flag. Allegedly, Texas has this right inherently (as a former independent nation) or because it negotiated special provisions when it joined the Union (this version has been stated as fact on a PBS website).[12] However, the legend is false. Neither the Joint Resolution for Annexing Texas to the United States nor the Ordinance of Annexation[13] contain any provisions regarding flags. According to the United States Flag Code, any state flag can be flown at the same height as the U.S. flag; the U.S. flag should be on its right (the viewer's left), however. Consistent with the U.S. Flag Code, the Texas Flag Code specifies that the state flag should either be flown below the U.S. flag if on the same pole or at the same height as the U.S. flag if on separate poles." from Wikipedia

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9.

Which of these statements about Texas are NOT true?

A.

Texas is the second biggest state in the United States.
B.

The Texas state motto is "Friendship".
C.

Texas got its name from the Caddo Indian word "tejas", meaning "those who are friends".
D.

Eva Longoria, Renée Zellweger, Steve Martin, Buddy Holly, and Joan Crawford are among the many famous people born in Texas.
E.

The three largest cities in Texas are Houston, Dallas, and Austin.

Correct Answer
E. The three largest cities in Texas are Houston, Dallas, and Austin.

Explanation
E is false. The three most populous cities in Texas are Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas. These three cities are also ranked among the 10 largest cities in the U.S. as #4, #7, and #8 respectively.

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10.

Where did the Alamo get it's name?

A.

From Jose Frederico Alamo, the first Governor of San Antonio
B.

From St. Alamo, patron saint of lost causes
C.

From the cottonwood tree
D.

From Pie a la Mode

Correct Answer
C. From the cottonwood tree

Explanation
C is true. The Alamo was named after a nearby grove of alamo, or cottonwood trees.

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