Come and Take It

He’s a legend, an outlaw, an entertainer, and the epitome of what it is to be Texan. Today we conclude our discussion of Willie Nelson in the modern years.

Few people embody the Texan ideal like legendary country music artist Willie Nelson. He is an icon of country music and one of the most recognizable Texans of all time. This week we examine his life, from his childhood in Texas, to the height of his success as the leader of Outlaw Country. We are proud to present this two parter on the life of the legend, Willie Nelson, on Come and Take It!

The Spanish mission system had a critical role in the early exploration and settlement of Texas. The system's purpose was to bring European civilization and Christianity to Native American tribes inhabiting Spanish Texas. Today we take a special look at the history of missions in the New World, its origins, and the influence it played in the development of the Lone Star State This week we are joined by our friend Stephen Guerra of The History of the Papacy podcast to look at the rich and fascinating history of the Texas Missions.

In 1842, war between the Republic of Texas and Mexico reignited, leading to a series of disastrous invasions back and forth across the border. Today we look at the compelling story of the Mier Expedition and the infamous Black Bean incident.

The touchstones of Goliad, the Alamo, and San Jacinto still resonate today. They're more than just stories in the history books, though; they have a physical presence, too: the monuments of the Texas Centennial.

We all know that the birthplace of aviation in the US is at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, where the Wright Brothers took their historic flight in 1903. But would you believe that the birthplace and incubator of American military aviation was in the historic Texas city of San Antonio? From one officer teaching himself how to fly the Wright Flyer to the global reach of Joint Base San Antonio in the 21st century, we look at San Antonio, the birthplace of American military aviation.

From their beginnings as a group of aircraft enthusiasts in the Rio Grande Valley pooling their money to purchase a surplus World War 2 fighter, the Commemorative Air Force has grown into a nationwide organization dedicated to the restoration and preservation of history’s greatest warbirds.

The borders of Texas run for nearly 3000 miles, from the Gulf of Mexico, the length of the Rio Grande, the New Mexico desert, the great plains, the Red River, the piney woods in the east, and down the Sabine River. All of these borders have evolved over time and their tale is the tale of Texas history. The result is a most pleasing shape.

Love Field, located six miles north of downtown Dallas, has been central to Texas aviation history since 1917. Whether training pilots for both world wars, ushering in commercial aviation to the state, or playing its own part in the tragedy of the JFK assassination, Love Field has had many historic moments.

After the fall of the Alamo and the massacre at Goliad, Texans fled east to stay one step ahead of Santa Anna's pursuit. The Runaway Scrape, as it came to be known, would have a lasting legacy in the history of the Lone Star State, and would lead to one of the most stunning reversals of fortune in all of history, the Battle of San Jacinto, where Texans turned and faced Santa Anna and won their independence.