Kingwood College Library

Texas History Internet Quiz

Try our special Texas History Internet Quiz. All of the answers can be found by using links from our Texas History Guide.   Our quizzes have three goals:
  1. That you have fun.
  2. That you learn something new.
  3. That you become more proficient at using the World Wide Web.
1.   What famous early exploere's ship, The Belle, was found in Matagorda Bay in 1995?  How long had it stayed on the ocean floor?
LASALLE LOST THE BELLE IN 1686... LaSalle at.http://caller.com/newsarch/lasalle1.htm.


2.  Write the words to the Texas state song, Texas, Our Texas.
 
Texas, our Texas! All hail the mighty State! Texas, our Texas! So wonderful, so great! Boldest and    grandest, withstanding every test; O empire wide and glorious you stand supremely blest. (Chorus)
Texas, O Texas! Your freeborn single star, Sends out its radiance to nations near and far, Emblem of  freedom! It sets our hearts aglow, With thoughts of San Jacinto and glorious Alamo. (Chorus)
Texas, dear Texas! From tyrant grip now free. Shines forth n splendor your star of destiny! Mother of Heroes! We come your children true. Proclaiming our allegiance, our faith, our love for you. (Chorus)
Chorus: God bless you, Texas! And keep you brave and strong. That you may grow in power and worth, throughout the ages long.
Found at  Texas It is BIG.


3.   When and for how long was Houston the capital of Texas?

 In April 1837, Sam Houston's  namesake town of Houston became capital on Buffalo Bayou. At the time, the town was little more than a muddy tract of land with two saloons, a few log cabins, and tents. A two-story, unfinished building housed the government.


4.   Find and write the recipe for Capital Punishment Chili.

 Capital Punishment Chili  (Recipe for this answer taken from this site.) This recipe is a modified version of a recipe from Bill Pfeiffer. It won the 1980 and 1982 World Chili Cookoff and took first place in the International Chili Society's 14th annual World Championship Chili Cookoff.
INGREDIENTS (serves 25)

 
Capital Punishment Chili  
1 Tbsp oregano  
2 Tbsp paprika  
9 Tbsp chili powder (light)  
4 Tbsp cumin  
4 Tbsp beef bouillon (instant crushed)  
1 bulb Garlic (crushed or chopped)  
2 cans beer (Anchor Steam)  
1 cup water  
4 pounds extra lean chuck (ground for chili)  		 2 pounds extra lean pork (cut into 1/4- inch cubes)  
1 pound extra lean chuck (cut into 1/4-inch cubes)  
2 large onions, finely chopped  
1/2 cup oil or kidney suet  
1 tsp mole, powdered  
1 Tbsp cilantro (chopped)  
1 Tbsp Habeneros Salsa  
8 oz tomato sauce (1 can)  
1 Tbsp masa harina  
salt, to taste  

PROCEDURE
In a large pot add paprika, oregano, chili powder, cumin, beef bouillon, beer, and 1 cup of water.   Let simmer.   In a separate skillet brown 1 1/2 lb meat with 1 Tbsp oil or kidney suet until meat is light brown.  Drain and add to simmering spices.   Continue until all meat has been added.  Saute finely chopped onions and garlic in 1 Tbsp oil or kidney suet.  Add to spices and meat mixture. Add water or beer as needed. Simmer two hours.  Add mole, coriander/cilantro, habeneros salsa, and tomato sauce.  Simmer 1 hour.   Dissolve masa harina in warm water and add to chili. Add salt to taste. Simmer 30 minutes.

5.   What is the origin of the name Texas?
Texas owes its name to the Caddo tribe - and the Spaniards. During the Spanish exploration of Texas in
the 1540s, the Spaniards met the Hasnai Caddo tribe in present-day East Texas. the Native Americans used
the word tayshas for "friends" or "allies." In Spanish, the translation came out as tejas. Eventually, Tejas
became Texas.

6.    What is the geographic center of Texas?
Geographic center - Northern part of McCulloch County, about 15 miles northeast of Brady.


7.    In Travis' appeal for help from the Alamo, he wrote, "I shall never ___________________________."
" I have answered

                                           the demand with a cannon
                                           shot, and our flag still waves
                                           proudly from the walls. I
                                           shall never surrender nor retreat."
 
8.     How many sections are in the Article I - Bill of Rights of the Texas Constitution?
30 sections in the Bill of Rights,  from freedom and sovereignty through crime victims.
 

9.    What were the major Indian tribes living in Texas at the time of the first European exploration?

The native Indian Tribes of Texas  included the Caddoes,  Karankawas, Coahuiltecan, Commanche, Tonkawa,  and the Lipan-Apache indians.

10.  What was the La Raza Unida?

In the 60s the Mexican American began a party to look at and improve the education, social and political stature of their people.  In Texas, La Raza Unida organized around electing Chicanos to Boards of Education and City Councils.

11.     What American President signed the legislation making Texas a state?  When?

Historic Events tells us that President James Polk signed the legislation that made Texas the 28th state.

12.     Who was the first governor of Texas?

 J. Pickney Henderson was the first Governor for the State of Texas from 1846 to 1847.

13.     The deadliest natural disaster in the United States was the hurricane that struck Galveston Island on September 8, 1900.   Name 3 places in Galveston where refugees from the storm could go for help.
 

The 1900 Galveston Hurricane, 6000 people died.  However,  400 refugees sought shelter in the Sealy's Mansion "Open Gates" on Broadway and 25th. A thousand more were spared at the Ursuline Convent and Academy.

14.     Who flew the Come & Take It flag?  Come and take WHAT?
At Historic Flags of Texas you will find that,
The Come & Take It flag was flown by the defiant citizens of Gonzales, Texas in November, 1835.  The flag was hoisted to dare a Mexican Army unit to come and repossess a cannon given to the citizens for protection from Indian attacks. This battle began the Texas Revolution.

15.   Take a tour of Old City Park in Dallas.  What would you see if you went there?

At Old City Park http://www.oldcitypark.org/, in Dallas, see the frontier days, business district, social life, and homes and houses of the past.
 


BONUS
  Name this famous man.  (Hey, you aren't a real Texan if you don't know who this is.)  Tell a little about him.

Sam Houston was the first President of Texas, rest his soul!


This quiz brought to you by Bettye Sutton and Peggy Whitley.
Find the questions at  www.nhmccd.edu/contracts/lrc/kc/texas-q.html
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