While six flags are universally accepted throughout the state, some controversy exists regarding a potential seventh: The Republic of the Rio Grande. Ultimately, the former nation is not included, but certain local governments such as the city of Laredo (which served as its capital city) hold it as a prominent member of the array.[3][4][5] The reason why it is not considered one of the original "six flags" in the Texas set is because both the Republic of Texas and the Republic of the Rio Grande claimed part of the same territory in 1840.[6]
In 2017, the Six Flags Over Texas theme park stopped flying the Confederate flag, part of a larger trend of removing public symbols of the slavery-supporting secessionists.[7]
The first flag belonged to Spain, which ruled most of Texas from 1519 to 1685 and 1690 to 1821. Three Spanish flags were used during this period: the "castle and lion" arms of the Crown of Castile (see Flag of Castile and León); the Cross of Burgundy, a military and maritime flag also used by the viceroys of New Spain; and the Rojigualda introduced by King Charles III in 1785, containing horizontal stripes of red-gold-red and the simple arms of Castile and León. This third flag has been used by Spain in various forms to the present day, and is the flag used in the reverse of the Seal of Texas and adopted by the Texas Historical Commission.[8][9]
France (1684 to 1690 for Fort Saint Louis and 1800 to 1803 as French Louisiana)
Later on in 1800, Spain ceded Louisiana to France under the Third Treaty of San Ildefonso. French Louisiana included northern sections of Texas. It remained in the hands of France until 1803, when France sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States. However, what was later northern Texas was sold back to Spain years later.
The third flag flown (1821 through 1836) was the flag of Mexico. Mexico's independence was recognized by Spain in September 1821. The Mexican flag displayed in the Austin Capitol is the one of the Mexican Republic of 1823 through 1864.
The fourth flag belonged to the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1845. The Republic had two national flags during its history, the first being the so-called "Burnet Flag". The "Lone Star Flag", the final national flag, became the state flag when Texas joined the United States as a U.S. state in 1845.[9]
The fifth and current flag is that of the United States, which Texas joined in 1845. Upon secession, Texas abandoned this flag for its sixth, until readmission to the Union in 1865.[9]