If you’ve ever spent time in a Texas public school or attended a local government meeting in the Lone Star State, you know the drill. Everyone stands up. They place their right hands over their hearts. First, they recite the national pledge. Then, there’s a brief pause—just long enough for a quick breath—before the room launches into a second, distinct set of words.
"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."
It’s the pledge of allegiance Texas residents have known for decades, but it's not just a casual tradition. It’s actually written into state law. Texas is one of a handful of states that takes its state pride so seriously that it has a codified, daily ritual for its own flag. To an outsider, it might seem a bit much. To a local? It’s basically muscle memory.
Where did these words actually come from?
Most people assume the Texas pledge has been around since the days of the Republic. It hasn't. History is usually messier than that. The original version was actually adopted in 1933. Back then, the wording was different. It said, "Honor the Texas Flag of 1836; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one and indivisible."
Wait, 1836?
Yeah. That was a bit of a historical oopsie. The legislators who wrote the 1933 bill were referring to the "Blue Bonnet Flag" or the "Burnet Flag," but the actual current Lone Star Flag wasn't even adopted until 1839. So, for a solid 32 years, Texans were technically pledging allegiance to a flag that wasn't the one flying on the pole in front of them. It’s one of those weird government quirks that nobody bothered to fix until the 1960s.
In 1965, the Governor signed a bill to strip out the "1836" part. It finally matched reality. But the version we hear today—the one that mentions God—is actually much newer than the baby boomer generation.
The 2007 Change that Sparked a Lawsuit
The biggest shift happened in 2007. The Texas Legislature decided to add the phrase "one state under God" to the pledge. It was a move led by Representative Debbie Riddle and Senator Dan Patrick. The goal was to mirror the national pledge, which had added the religious reference back in the 1950s during the Cold War.
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Not everyone was a fan.
A couple of parents, David and Shannon Croft, actually filed a federal lawsuit (Croft v. Perry) claiming that the new wording violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. They argued that by forcing their kids to say "under God" in a state-mandated pledge, the government was essentially pushing religion.
The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals didn't see it that way. In 2010, the court ruled that the phrase was "patriotic and ceremonial" rather than a religious indoctrination. They basically said that mentioning God in this context is just a nod to the state's heritage. Whether you agree with that or not, it's the legal reality that keeps the words on the books today.
The Rules: Do You Have to Say It?
You’ve probably wondered if you can get in trouble for sitting it out. The short answer? No. But the long answer is a bit more "Texas."
Section 25.082 of the Texas Education Code requires public school students to recite both the U.S. and Texas pledges once a day. However, it also includes a "get out of jail free" card. If a parent or guardian sends a written request to the school, the student can be excused.
It’s a Constitutional right.
In the landmark 1943 case West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, the Supreme Court ruled that the government can't force people to speak. Compelled speech is a no-go. So, while the school has to provide the time for the pledge, the student doesn't have to participate. Interestingly, even if you don't say the words, the law still expects you to "stand and be respectful." Of course, enforcing "respectful silence" is a whole different legal can of worms.
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Why Texas Does This (When Other States Don't)
Texas isn't the only state with a pledge. Michigan has one. So does Kentucky. But if you live in California or New York, you probably didn't even know state pledges were a thing. Why is it such a big deal here?
It's about the identity.
Texas was its own country. That’s a point of pride that gets baked into the curriculum from the time kids are in kindergarten. The pledge of allegiance Texas uses is a daily reinforcement of that "Texas First" mentality. It’s a cultural marker. It says: we are part of the Union, but we are also ourselves.
Honestly, it’s also just habit. Once a ritual gets into the school system, it’s incredibly hard to remove. Teachers use it as a way to settle the class down. It marks the start of the day. It’s part of the rhythm of life in the South.
The Etiquette of the Flag
If you want to be a stickler for the rules, there’s an actual "Flag Code" for Texas, just like the federal one.
- The Right Hand: Always over the heart.
- The Hat: Take it off. This is a big one in Texas. If you're wearing a cowboy hat, it should be in your left hand or held over your left shoulder so your right hand is free for your heart.
- The Position: The Texas flag should never be larger than the U.S. flag. If they are on the same pole, the U.S. flag is on top. If they are on separate poles, they should be at the same height.
There's a common myth that the Texas flag is the only state flag allowed to fly at the same height as the U.S. flag because it was once a republic. That's actually not true. Any state flag can fly at the same height as the national flag, provided the U.S. flag is in the position of honor (usually to its own right). Texas just happens to be the state that actually does it the most.
Modern Controversy and the "Indivisible" Irony
There’s a bit of a funny irony in the word "indivisible."
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Every few years, "Texit" movements pop up—groups of people who want Texas to secede and become an independent nation again. It’s a loud, fringe political movement. Yet, every single morning, the people supporting these movements often stand up and pledge that Texas is "one state... indivisible."
The word was added specifically to push back against the idea of secession. In the post-Civil War era, the concept of being "indivisible" was a legal and social necessity. When you say the pledge of allegiance Texas requires, you are literally promising that the state will stay part of the whole.
Beyond the Classroom
While schools are the main arena, you'll see the pledge at:
- Boy Scout and Girl Scout meetings.
- City Council sessions in rural towns.
- The opening of the State Legislature in Austin.
- Political rallies across the spectrum.
It has become a shorthand for "I’m a real Texan." For some, it’s a deeply moving patriotic act. For others, it’s a slightly annoying sixty seconds they have to endure before getting to the real business of the day.
How to Handle It if You’re New to the State
If you just moved to Austin, Dallas, or some tiny town in the Panhandle, don't panic. Nobody is going to check your ID if you don't know the words.
If you find yourself in a situation where the Texas pledge starts, just stand up. You don't have to say it if you don't want to, but standing quietly is the standard social "polite" move. If you want to blend in, just remember the rhythm. It’s shorter than the U.S. pledge. It’s punchy.
The text again, just so you have it:
"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."
Real-World Action Steps
If you’re a parent or a student, knowing your rights is the most important thing. Texas law is very clear, even if local school officials sometimes aren't.
- Check the Student Handbook: Every Texas school district has to have a policy on the pledge. It’s usually found in the "Code of Conduct" or "Student Rights" section.
- Understand the Opt-Out: If you don't want your child reciting the religious portion (or the pledge entirely), you must provide a written note. Schools generally cannot question your reasons.
- Respect the Flag: Even if you aren't a "pledge person," the Texas flag is a symbol of the state's history—the good, the bad, and the complicated. Treating it with basic decorum is usually enough to avoid any social friction.
- Teach the History: If you're an educator, explain the 1933 "1836 flag" error. Kids love hearing that the adults in charge got things wrong for thirty years. It makes the history feel more human and less like a chore.
The Texas pledge isn't going anywhere. It’s survived lawsuits, legislative tweaks, and a century of cultural shifts. Whether you see it as a beautiful tradition or an outdated mandate, it remains one of the most uniquely "Texas" things about living in the Lone Star State. It’s a 13-word commitment to a place that refuses to be just another state on the map.