Wednesday marked the 175th anniversary of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence 8212; a date marked as Texas Independence Day.

There may be a stereotype or two about Texan pride. The “Don’t Mess With Texas” state-sponsored commercials do no favors.

TCU students who attended elementary school in the Lone Star State may remember not only reciting the United States Pledge of Allegiance, but also reciting the Texas Pledge of Allegiance as well as singing 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 ev’ry test/ O Empire wide and glorious, you stand supremely blest.”

Students on campus who hail from California to New Jersey may need Pepto-Bismol after reading that verse.

But the pride Texans have for their state is something that can’t easily be translated without raising of an eyebrow.

The history is rich and spine-tingling to many native Texans. In January 1836, Mexican Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna marched his troops to San Antonio to besiege the Alamo, which prompted Texas hero William B. Travis on Feb. 24 to dispatch an open letter “To The People of Texas & All Americans in the World”:

“Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch…”

The Texas Declaration of Independence was signed less than a week later.

The Texas Revolution was a continuation of the spread of American democratic ideals and liberties 8212; it’s importance to many Texans may not be fully understood by those who don’t consider themselves “Texan,” but what March 2, 1836, stands for is, at minimum, worthy of explanation.

Sports editor Ryne Sulier for the editorial board.