Texas Independence Day

Today is Texas Flag Day or Texas Independence Day. For many this day celebrates the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. The Texas Declaration of Independence was created by the Convention of 1836, which took place at Washington-on-the-Brazos.

Here are instructions on how to raise and fold a Texas flag:

Step One
According to the flag code, the Texas flag “shall be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.”

Step Two
Raise the flag with the blue field against the flagpole and the white stripe at the top, except in the case of a life and death emergency. If you are in mortal danger, hang the flag upside down.

Step Three
The flag should always be allowed to wave free. It should be displayed with appropriate lighting if out after dark, and should not be flown in inclement weather.

Step Four
Fly only the United States flag above the Texas flag on a single flagpole. It is recommended that the Texas flag have its own flagpole of equal height to the United States flag.

Step Five
Stand with your right hand over your heart and your hat removed while the Texas flag is being raised.

Step Six
Recite the Texas Pledge of Allegiance once the flag has reached the top of the flagpole: "Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."

Step Seven
If you have also raised the United States flag, recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag first, then recite the Texas Pledge of Allegiance. If you are not a citizen of Texas, please remain standing, while the pledge is recited.

Step Eight
When taking down the flag, do it slowly and with reverence. When it reaches the bottom of the flagpole, don’t let it touch the ground. Then it should be folded.

Folding of the Texas flag is not set forth by law. The folding description follows that used by the Sergeant at Arms in Austin when folding the flags that fly over the capitol building.