The Texas centennial stamp of March 2, 1936, does not commemorate the centennial of statehood, as is usual, but rather the centennial of adoption of a Declaration of Independence for Texas. Hostilities erupted in 1835 between Mexicans and American settlers in Texas; a provisional government was formed, leading up to the declaration. Statehood was achieved in 1845, following the end of the Mexican-American War.
The 3-cent violet stamp features portraits of Sam Houston, general of the Texas army and later governor of Texas and U.S. senator, and Stephen F. Austin, founder of the Texas colony. The portraits flank an image of the Alamo, prominent in the center of the stamp.
Gordon T. Trotter
