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Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
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As we observe National Hispanic Heritage Month in Texas, we focus on the heritage and legacy of the first settlers of Texas; Native Tejanos. Tejanos are the descendants of the first Spanish Mexican and indigenous families of the Texas frontier starting in 1690. Tejano heritage is vital to understanding who we are and where we come from, it provides identity and pride.
In the 1700s, Spanish soldier-settlers on expeditions to build the first roads, presidios, and missions brought their families. By the 1750s they created the civilian districts of Goliad, Nacogdoches and San Antonio.
These Tejano pioneers began the first ranches along the many rivers in Texas in the late 1700s; they raised and traded Longhorns and Mustangs. The role of the first cowboys, known as Vaqueros, was to round up cattle and mustangs, brand them and trail them to market.
Tejanos battled in revolutions such as The Battle of La Medina against New Spain, and the decisive Battles of the Alamo and San Jacinto in 1836 against Mexico to make Texas free! The first vice-president of Texas was Don Lorenzo de Zavala. He and other noted Tejanos served in the new republic and in 1845 they began to serve in the United States Congress.
Tejanos achieved many other accomplishments and made numerous contributions to the development of early Texas and the American Southwest. At Texas Tejano.com, we are proud to help champion the awareness, education, and celebration of Tejano Heritage and Legacy of the Lone Star State.
Tejano Heritage Activities
To this end, this year we participating with neighboring communities around San Antonio, Texas. Two of the cities observing Hispanic Heritage Month are Bandera and Boerne in the Texas Hill Country. At both locations, Tejano artifacts, books, exhibits, portraits, and presentations will be made at their respective locations. Please contact the libraries for more information on these events, or visit texastejano.com for more information on Tejanos.
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