How Texas Celebrates 190 Years Of Independence This Year

On March 2, 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico. This week, the Lone Star State turns 190 years young, officially launching the final 10-year countdown to Texas’ bicentennial in 2036.

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Across Texas, communities are celebrating.

In Presidio La Bahía, a March 3 reenactment marks the anniversary of the Goliad Declaration of Independence
At the San Jacinto Battleground on April 18, a full battle reenactment and living history camps will honor the victory that secured Texas freedom
Huntsville celebrates Sam Houston with birthday events, while restaurants like Credence are hosting special Texas-themed dining experiences.
Plus, the Whataburger chain is also marking Texas' 190th-anniversary with commemorative merchandise.

Check your community calendar for celebrations near you.

Texas at 190: Built by Hard Work

Texas is now home to 31.7 million people and boasts a $2.8 trillion economy. That didn’t happen by accident. That’s ranchers before sunrise. Oilfield workers pulling long shifts. Teachers shaping futures. Small business owners are taking risks. Families building legacies. That’s Texans working their behinds off.

From agriculture to energy, technology to health care, this state keeps growing because its people refuse to slow down. And as we step into the final decade before our bicentennial, that same work ethic will determine what the next century looks like.

I fly my Lone Star flag high and proud, not just because of where we’ve been, but because of where we’re headed. Ten years from now, when Texas turns 200, I want to know we didn’t just celebrate history, we helped shape it.

But this milestone isn’t just about history.

Leaders with Texas 2036 say growth alone doesn’t guarantee opportunity; the next 10 years will determine whether infrastructure, workforce development, water resources, and health care keep pace with that growth.

To me, those numbers tell a simple story: Texans are hard-working folks.

From ranchers and oilfield crews to teachers, tech workers, and small business owners, this state was built on grit. I fly my Lone Star flag high and proud, not just because of where we’ve been, but because of where we’re headed.