History of Mexican Americans in Texas facts for kids
Long before Spanish explorers arrived, Native American groups lived in the area we now call Texas. When Spaniards came and claimed the land for Spain, a special mixing of cultures happened. This led to children known as mestizos, who had both Spanish and Native American heritage.
Texas was part of New Spain, which was ruled by Spain, starting around 1520. This continued until Texas became independent from Mexico in 1836. By 1850, over 14,000 people living in Texas had Mexican roots. Today, many Texans identify as Mexican, Mexican American, or Chicano. In the 2020 Census, about 33.3% of Texans shared this heritage.
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Mexican American Culture in Texas
Mexican American culture has deeply shaped Texas. This includes everything from food and music to art and traditions. Many Texans celebrate holidays like Cinco de Mayo and Día de Muertos, which are important parts of Mexican culture. The Spanish language is also widely spoken and celebrated across the state.
Newspapers and Voices
Newspapers played a big role in sharing news and ideas among Mexican Americans in Texas.
- La Prensa was a daily newspaper published in San Antonio. It started in 1913 and was printed in Spanish. It covered important events like the Mexican Revolution and other news from Mexico. It closed in 1963.
- El Bejarano was another Spanish-language newspaper from San Antonio. It began in 1855 and became a place for Mexican and Mexican American people to share their thoughts and work for change.
Where Mexican Americans Live in Texas
People of Mexican descent make up a large part of the population in southern, south-central, and western Texas. They also form a big part of the communities in major cities like Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.
The Hispanic population helps Texas have a younger population compared to the rest of the United States. This is because more Hispanic babies have been born than non-Hispanic white babies since the early 1990s. In 2007, for the first time in a long time, more than half of all babies born in Texas (50.2%) were Hispanic.
Notable Mexican Americans from Texas
Many Mexican Americans from Texas have made important contributions in different fields. Here are a few examples:
- Martín De León: An important rancher and empresario (someone who brought settlers to Texas) who founded the city of Victoria.
- Luis Jiménez: A famous sculptor known for his large, colorful fiberglass artworks that often show Mexican American culture and history.
- Selena: A beloved singer known as the "Queen of Tejano music." She became a huge star and helped bring Tejano music to a wider audience.
- Gloria Anzaldúa: A writer and scholar who explored themes of identity, culture, and borders in her influential books.
- Judith Zaffirini: A long-serving state senator in Texas, known for her work in education and health.
