# What are the "six flags over Texas"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 21, 2002, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030 "2002-05-21T01:54:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Barking\_Spider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9dc877/32.png) [@Barking\_Spider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barking_Spider)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030/1 "2002-05-21T01:54:39Z")
I read somewhere many years ago that the phrase "six flags over Texas refers to the number of flags that have flown over the State. Is this true? ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030/2 "2002-05-21T01:59:53Z")
See [http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ref/abouttx/sixflags.html](http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ref/abouttx/sixflags.html) ---
**Author:** ![jiHymas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/439d5e/32.png) [@jiHymas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jiHymas)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030/3 "2002-05-21T02:00:22Z")
Also see [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5\_235.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_235.html) ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030/4 "2002-05-21T02:00:48Z")
Spain France Mexico As A Republic Confederacy United States ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030/5 "2002-05-21T02:26:52Z")
😃 \*\*[sup]Actually it is because “Disneyland” was already taken[/sup] \*\* ---
**Author:** ![brad\_d](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@brad\_d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brad_d)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030/6 "2002-05-21T06:25:06Z")
This is a somewhat pedantic point, but… That “Texas” flag is the flag of the _Republic of Texas_, **not** the _State of Texas_. Astute observers might note that the two flags are identical, and thus might ask, “What’s the diff?” The distinction is that the State of Texas is not a sovereign nation while the Republic of Texas, for its relatively brief existence, was. If this standard of counting is used, most states could not include their own state flags in their tallies. Ah…Six Flags Over Texas. I have many fond memories of that place from my junior high/high school days. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030/7 "2002-05-21T13:48:36Z")
brad: As I’m a bit of a pedant, I must point out that ALL of the states in the United States are republics. The Constitution of the United States requires that each state have that form of government. So, in short, the flag of Texas is the flag of the State of Texas, which just so happens to be a republic, as required by the governing document of the country. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Maximino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@Mighty\_Maximino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Maximino)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030/8 "2002-05-21T14:17:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Monty \* > \*\*brad: > > As I’m a bit of a pedant, I must point out that ALL of the states in the United States are republics. The Constitution of the United States requires that each state have that form of government. So, in short, the flag of Texas is the flag of the State of Texas, which just so happens to be a republic, as required by the governing document of the country. \*\* **brad** was referring to the period 1838-1845, when Texas wasn’t just a state with a republican form of government, but actually an independant nation with powers to do things that American states and territories just can’t do. Admittedly, it was pretty clear to most people that annexation was the way to go, but that’s the time commemorated by the Texas flag. Not many states have had a similar period of complete independence. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030/9 "2002-05-21T15:01:20Z")
Besides Hawaii are there any others? –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030/10 "2002-05-21T15:01:31Z")
Doesn’t matter, MM; Texas, as is every other state iin the Union, is still a republic to this day. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030/11 "2002-05-21T15:28:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Monty \* > \*\*Doesn’t matter, MM; Texas, as is every other state iin the Union, is still a republic to this day. \*\* Monty, you should only be pedantic when you’re right. The word “republic” is irrelevant to this discussion. The sixth flag over Texas is the flag of the **independent** Republic of Texas, a sovereign nation, neither a state, nor a territory, nor a possession of the United States of America. The facts that Texas is still a republic, still has a flag, and still uses the same flag, are entirely beside the point. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030/12 "2002-05-21T15:38:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cliffy \* > \*\*Besides Hawaii are there any others? > > –Cliffy \*\* Sure; the California “Bear Flag” Republic, for one. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030/13 "2002-05-21T16:26:30Z")
Nametag: It’s not besides the point. The State of Texas didn’t adopt another flag, nor did they adopt some other form of government besides a republic. Ah, I love this kind of discussion. There’s really no way to dispsrove either of us, I bet. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Maximino](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e95f7d/32.png) [@Mighty\_Maximino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Maximino)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030/14 "2002-05-21T21:20:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Monty \* > \*\*Ah, I love this kind of discussion. There’s really no way to dispsrove either of us, I bet. \*\* Well, **Monty** , if what you mean is Texas still has the same flag that it had when it was independent, and it was a republic then and has a republican government now (and a Republican government, to this centrist-leftist’s dismay, but that’s another kettle of fish), then you’re right. But I’d have to say that the pedantry is inappropriate, because although all states have a flag, the whole “Six Flags Over Texas” thing refers to _independent states_, not flags as a piece of cloth. So what they mean by the Republic of Texas is what everyone else has been saying, that brief period between 1838 and 1845. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030/15 "2002-05-21T22:07:36Z")
So what’re the six flags over Georgia? IIRC, there is (or used to be) a Six Flags Over Georgia amusement park also. Looks to me like the proprietors are just referring to the different flags that fly there. ---
**Author:** ![tanstaafl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba8739/32.png) [@tanstaafl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanstaafl)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2002, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030/16 "2002-05-21T22:24:44Z")
> [@](#): > > the whole “Six Flags Over Texas” thing refers to independent states, not flags as a piece of cloth. Nope. It does refer to flags as pieces of cloth. Here are the [six flags which have flown over Texas](http://www.lsjunction.com/facts/6flags.htm). So, it really doesn’t matter or not if they mean the Texas state flag or the flag of Texas as a republic. Same flag… 🙂 > [@](#): > > So what’re the six flags over Georgia? France England Spain United States Confederate States State of Georgia You can see the flags [here](http://www.playride.com/tug2sfog/). I’ve just been looking around the official Six Flags web site and am amazed at the number of parks these people operate. There’s a Six Flags over Mexico? Over Holland? I also see Six Flags over Texas was the original. How interesting… ---
**Author:** ![brad\_d](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@brad\_d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brad_d)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2002, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030/17 "2002-05-22T00:55:43Z")
I thought somebody might disagree with me… 🙂 **Monty** , I agree with what you’re saying. However, the nature of the discussion here is leading me to suspect that I didn’t state my point with sufficient clarity - let me try again. The Republic of Texas was a sovereign nation that existed from 1836-1845. Its land was approximately that which now makes up Texas, one of the 50 states. _The Republic of Texas_ (proper noun) does not exist today, and has not since 1845. The State of Texas does, indeed, have a republican form of government. As such, it is accurately described as a “republic.” However, “Republic of Texas” is not its name. The national flag of the Republic of Texas (1836-1845) is identical in design to that of the state flag of Texas (1845- ), but the entities they represent are _not_ the same - this is my point. Let’s refer to that _flag design_ as the “Lone Star Flag” for the moment. In this thread there are several links to lists and descriptions of the “six flags over Texas.” I believe every one of them identifies the Lone Star Flag as representing (for list purposes) the Republic of Texas (1936-1845) _only_, with no mention of the state from 1845 on. I hold that this is not a casual omission. A U.S. state is not a sovereign nation, but rather is subordinate to the United States of America. That’s why I think Georgia is “cheating” when they claim the flag of the State of Georgia. Statehood doesn’t count - independent nation status does. Texas the state wouldn’t make the list - and in fact **it does not** (at least, not any of the lists people have found and linked so far). I don’t think Six Flags Magic Mountain in California makes any attempt to come up with an itemized list of flags. The park chain has kind of grown beyond “Six Flags” being anything besides a name in the newest additions to the system. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2002, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030/18 "2002-05-22T01:50:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Nametag \* > \*\* > > Sure; the California “Bear Flag” Republic, for one. \*\* If somebody asks you to name the three US states that were independent republics, they may very well be going for Hawaii, Texas and Vermont. The Bear Flag Republic lasted all of 25 days, and is really hard to justify as anything but a very short-lived provisional authority during the period between the collapse of Mexican rule and the establishment of US rule. They didn’t last long enough to issue money, set up a legislature or anything like that. The Republic of Vermont lasted for 14 years, however, and had all the legitimate trappings: [http://www.letmeshowyouvermont.com/republic.htm](http://www.letmeshowyouvermont.com/republic.htm) Even at that, some people will point out that Vermont never had a longe range intent of remaining independent - it just took 14 years for the US to figure out how to let them join, and the British had washed their hands of the area following the revolution. ---
**Author:** ![SpartanDC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@SpartanDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpartanDC)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2002, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030/19 "2002-05-22T01:55:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by brad\_d \* > **The State of Texas does, indeed, have a republican form of government. As such, it is accurately described as a “republic.” However, “Republic of Texas” is not its name.** I’m not sure about this, but isn’t Texas technically known as the “Republic of Texas” much in the same way that Virginia is technically the “Commonwealth of Virginia”? I was in the Texas Capitol not too long ago (Nice place, Texans! But do ya have to have those tacky chandeliers in the chambers that spell TEXAS with little lights?), and in the underground annex,built very recently, I swore I saw a seal-type thing engraved in the floor that said “Republic of Texas” around the edge. I’m not sure if I’m right… just throwing information out there. ---
**Author:** ![brad\_d](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@brad\_d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brad_d)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2002, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030/20 "2002-05-22T06:32:58Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by SNenc \* > \*\* I’m not sure about this, but isn’t Texas technically known as the “Republic of Texas” much in the same way that Virginia is technically the “Commonwealth of Virginia”?_\* That’s a valid question. 🙂 I just checked the states official [website](http://www.state.tx.us/), and my answer right now is “I don’t think so.” From the state main site, I followed a few links in the “About Texas” direction and came to [this page](http://www.sos.state.tx.us/statdoc/seal.shtml), which shows the State Seal of Texas. Rather plain, I’ll grant, but the text around the outer circle is “State of Texas.” [This](http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/txconst/toc.html) is the table of contents to an online version of the Texas Constitution. It contains what appears to be the preamble, which states (bolding mine): > [@](#): > > Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the **State of Texas** , do ordain and establish this Constitution. I also found, along the same link path, [this page](http://castor.tsl.state.tx.us/ref/abouttx/sixflags.html) which returns to our six flags conundrum. The link leading to the page was [subtitled](http://castor.tsl.state.tx.us/ref/abouttx/#flags) “List of the nations which claimed Texas” - not an accidental choice of wording, I think. I think this backs up the point I was trying to make earlier - few other states can put themselves on a “list of nations which claimed {state name}” as Texas can. Specifically, the chronology:[ul][li]1519-1685 - Spain[/li][li]1685-1690 - France[/li][li]1690-1821 - Spain[/li][li]1821-1836 - Mexico (Mexico gained independence from Spain)[/li][li]1836-1845 - Republic of Texas (Texas seceded from Mexico, becoming its own country)[/li][li]1845-1861 - USA (joins union as a state)[/li][li]1861-1865 - Confederate States of America[/li][li]1865-2002 - USA[/ul]Now, if you really wanted to _count flags_, you could push the number much higher. The US flag has changed quite a few times since Texas’ admission, and there’s still a little bit of fighting about just which French and Spanish flag should be used. Regarding the French flag, for example, the site with the list states:[/li][quote] In the 1680s, there was not one official French flag; a number of different designs were in use, and it is not clear which La Salle’s expedition might have carried. Some patterns which have been used in Texas include a white banner with three gold fleur-de-lis, a blue banner with three gold or white fleur-de-lis and a white banner liberally sprinkled with gold fleur-de-lis. For the Centennial Exposition, the white flag sprinkled with gold fleur-de-lis was adopted as the most likely design, and this pattern is most commonly seen today. [/quote] [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-six-flags-over-texas/110030.md?page=2)