Come and Take It

In 1986, Texas celebrated its 150th anniversary of independence from Mexico. Originally conceived as a deeply-funded, centrally-planned series of well-organized events, economic conditions turned it into a hodge-podge of nearly ten thousand events, large and small, scattered throughout the state. It was a year-long “Texas-sized birthday party” known as the Texas Sesquicentennial

Before we begin… What’s your favorite song by Janis Joplin?

• Order a shirt! Celebrate the Texas (and Come and Take It) Sesquicentennial
• Texas Sesquicentennial Wagon Train. A phtographic history of the big wagon train that went around the state, within 100 miles of every town and city (at least, that was the goal).
• A nice article from the Chicago Tribune talking about the “Texas-size birhtday party” of 1986
• Texas throws 150-year birthday party. But in midst of celebration, Texans uncertain about the future. An article from the Christian Science Monitor that touches on the economic uncertainties in Texas of 1986.
• The official Texas Sesquicentennial logo, part of a nice digitial collection of Texas Sesquicentennial memorabilia.
• A good overview of the oil price collapse that led to the challenging economic climate of 1986 in Texas.