Texas was once a nation in its own right. From 1836 to 1845 the Texas Republic was officially recognized by nations of Europe and by the United States. The flag of the Texas nation was first flown in 1839 and the proud banner bore a single bright star. Later, when Texas joined the Union to become the 28th state, the lone star banner became the state flag, It became natural to call large, successul Texas the Lone Star State in honor of the proud history of its flag.

The name Texas was borrowed and changed somewhat from an Indian word which originally meant the friends or allies.