Seal of Texas
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The Seal of Texas was adopted as part of the 1845 Texas State Constitution and was based on the great seal of the Republic of Texas adopted on January 25, 1839. [1] The 1845 constitution states, "There shall be a seal of the State, which shall be kept by the Governor and used by him officially. The said seal shall be a star of five points, encircled by an olive and live oak branches, and the words 'the State of Texas.'"
[edit] Seal Reverse
A design for the reverse of the seal was originally adopted in 1961. The design was modified in 1991, notably replacing the Confederate battle flag with the Stars and Bars flag. The current law, Government Code section 3101.001, states "The reverse side of the state seal contains a shield displaying a depiction of: (1) the Alamo; (2) the cannon of the Battle of Gonzales; and (3) Vince's Bridge. . . . The shield on the reverse side of the state seal is encircled by: (1) live oak and olive branches; and (2) the unfurled flags of: (A) the Kingdom of France; (B) the Kingdom of Spain; (C) the United Mexican States; (D) the Republic of Texas; (E) the Confederate States of America; and (F) the United States of America. . . . Above the shield is emblazoned the motto, "REMEMBER THE ALAMO," and beneath the shield are the words, "TEXAS ONE AND INDIVISIBLE." . . . A white five-pointed star hangs over the shield, centered between the flags." [2]
[edit] County Symbols
There is no general state law providing for the adoption of a county seal, but laws do provide for seals for the county commissioners court, county clerk, and other county offices. Until 1975, the commissioners court seal consisted of a star with five points and the words, "Commissioners Court, ---- County, Texas." A commissioners court may now select its own seal design, with the approval of the Texas secretary of state. It is, however, common for counties to have a "seal" or symbol to identify the county unofficially. As noted in the Wikipedia Category "Official seals of places in Texas," many counties have adopted symbols with the lone star and live oak/olive branches in the center. Some counties have maintained "The State of Texas" at the top, while adding the county name below; others have replaced "The State of Texas" with the county name, with some adding the year of county establishment at the bottom.
A notable exception is Harris County, which instead uses a symbol with the Flag of Texas in the center.
[edit] External links
- State Seal of Texas Texas Secretary of State website
- Seal of Texas from the Handbook of Texas Online
- Reverse of the Seal Texas Secretary of State website
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- [3] Reverse of the state seal
