Hello fellow Texans and friends of Texas. Today is Friday, July 4, 2014, Independence Day. • • • • • • =+ -+ -+-+= Joint Resolution for annexing Texas to U.S. approved in 1845< On July 4, 1845, the Joint Resolution For annexing Texas to the United States was approved by a 55-1 vote by the Convention of Texas. The first state Constitution was also approved. The delegates elected to the convention included 18 originally from Tennessee, eight from Virginia, seven from Georgia, six from Kentucky and five from North Carolina. In 1844, James K. Polk was elected the United States president after promising to annex Texas. Before he assumed office, the outgoing president, John Tyler, entered negotiations with Texas. On Feb. 26, 1845, six days before Polk took office, the U.S. Congress approved the annexation. The convention adjourned on Aug. 28, 1845. In October, Texas residents approved the annexation and the new constitution, and Texas was officially inducted into the United States on Dec. 29, 1845. The formal transfer of authority from republic to the state was held Feb. 19, 1846. President Anson Jones handed over the reins of state government to Gov. James Pinckney Henderson, declaring The final act in this great drama is now performed; the Republic of Texas is no more. The joint resolution and ordinance of annexation allows formation of up to four additional states out of the former territories of the Republic of Texas. • • • • • • =+ -+ -+-+= Willie Nelsons picnics often part of Independence Day in Texas< Independence Day in Texas has become the day for hot dogs, baseball, apple pie and Willie Nelsons Fourth of July Picnics. The 2012 event takes place at Billy Bobs Texas with a lineup that includes fellow Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson, along with Jamey Johnson, Billy Joe Shaver, Ray Wylie Hubbard, the Randy Rogers Band, Asleep at the Wheel, Johnny Bush, Lukas Nelson, Corey Smith, Stoney LaRue, Wade Bowen and others. In 1973, the concept of Willie Nelsons Fourth of July Picnic as a country music extravaganza was born. Inspired by a country music festival called the Dripping Springs Reunion in March 1972, Willie Nelson, one of the performers, and some of his business associates decided to organize a one-day event for July 4, 1973. Eddie Wilson, owner of Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin, promoted the concert, which was held at the same ranch as the Dripping Springs Reunion. Musicians in addition to Nelson included Kris Kristofferson, Rita Coolidge, Charlie Rich, Waylon Jennings and Tom T. Hall. As an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 fans jammed two caliche backroads to the site. Highlights of Willie Nelson Picnics over the years include: • In 1974, Willie Nelsons Fourth of July Picnic became a three-day festival that took place outdoors at the Texas World Speedway in College Station. Waylon Jennings, Jimmy Buffett, Leon Russell, Michael Martin Murphey, and Jerry Jeff Walker were among the lineup of musicians that helped establish Willies picnic as an annual event. • In 1975, still looking for the perfect situation, Nelsons Fourth of July Picnic moved to Liberty Hill in Williamson County. A total of 90,000 attended and heard Nelson and the Charlie Daniels Band, Delbert McClinton, the Pointer Sisters and Kris Kristofferson. Although he Texas Senate proclaimed July 4 Willie Nelson Day, Williamson County officials charged Nelson with violating the Texas Mass Gathering Act. • In 1976, Willie moved to Gonzales in an attempt to improve on the Liberty Hill fiasco. Protests started but the event went on. Perhaps 80,000 attended. The site lacked water outlets and bathroom facilities. A downpour on the morning of July 5 shorted out the PA system before Waylon Jennings or Nelson performed. One person drowned and injuries ranged from stabbings to snake bites. Nelson would later be sued by two injured picnickers, the owner of the ambulance service and the owner of the ranch. • In 1977, the Picnic went to the Tulsa Fairgrounds Speedway, drawing a crowd quoted by the Daily Oklahoman as “far above the 40,000-50,000 expected to attend.” On July 1, 1978, an event in Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City was billed as a “Fourth of July Picnic.” The short lineup included the Grateful Dead. • In 1984, the picnic began anew and for the next few years was held at various venues around Austin. The 1986 concert also doubled as Farm Aid, which Nelson orchestrated in the mid-1980s to raise money for Americas farmers. John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Ely, and the Fabulous Thunderbirds were among the musical acts that played Nelsons picnics. • In 1987, the Picnic at Carl’s Corner, just north of Hillsboro, was attended by only about 8,000. A child picked up a field mouse and was bitten for the most serious medical situation reported. • In 1990, enthusiasm for the on again, off again picnic became more subdued. A modest crowd of 15,000 attended at Zilker Park in Austin despite the appearance of the Highwaymen, featuring Nelson, Kristofferson, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings. • In 1993, a scaled-down Nelson festival took place at the Backyard in Austin. Only about 3,000 people attended. • In 1995, Luckenbach, where Everybody is Somebody, was the site of Willie Nelsons Fourth of July Picnic. The event drew thousands to the town with a population of three. Luckenbach was established as an Indian trading post by German immigrant Albert Luckenbach in 1849. In 1971, Luckenbach was bought by Hondo Crouch, a former swimming champion, actor, and columnist who styled himself mayor and declared Luckenbach a free state of mind. • In 2000, the event moved to Southpark Meadows in Austin after being held in Luckenbach through 1999. Logistical and county permit problems were cited as reasons the concert left Luckenbach. • In 2003, the picnic resumed at Two Rivers Canyon Amphitheater in Spicewood in Burnet County. In addition to old favorites like Neil Young and Merle Haggard, the event also featured newcomers Los Lonely Boys, Pat Green and Cross Canadian Ragweed. • From 2004 through 2006, Willies Picnic took place in Fort Worth before Nelson took the event out of Texas to the state of Washington in 2007. • In 2008, Willie Nelsons Fourth of July Picnic returned to Texas and was held at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater near San Antonio. • In 2011, Nelsons picnic returned to Billy Bobs in the Fort Worth Stockyards. • Nelson will host his 2014 Fourth of July Picnic at the Fort Worth Stockyards. Two stages will provide entertainment from noon until well into the night. There will be also be a special VIP Tent and Sky Box, which will provide guests with a place to cool off from the summer heat. • • • • • • =+ -+ -+-+= Also on July 4 in Texas: • In 1846, S.W.T. Lanham, U.S. representative and 22nd governor of Texas and last Confederate veteran to serve as governor of Texas, was born in South Carolina. He served in the Confederate Army. After a long career of public service, he was elected governor in 1902 and re-elected in 1904. A son, Frederick Garland Lanham, served in Congress from 1919 to 1947. Texas novelist Edwin M. Lanham, Jr., is a grandson. • In 1904, the first regular passenger train passed through the new railroad town of Kingsville, sparking a civic celebration, as the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway completed construction of its first 142 miles of track from Robstown to Brownsville. Henrietta King, owner of the King Ranch, gave 75,000 acres of land in Cameron and Kleberg counties for the railroad right-of-way, 640 acres for the townsite of Kingsville, and 40 acres for shops. • • • • • • Texas History Day-by-Day is compiled by retired newspaper journalist Bob Sonderegger (anglebob61@yahoo). A primary source of information is Handbook of Texas Online. Your comments or additions are welcome.
Posted on: Fri, 04 Jul 2014 14:55:17 +0000
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