Breckenridge Mayor declares March as Texas History Month
By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan
On Monday morning, March 8, members of the Picketville Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas gathered to witness Breckenridge Mayor Bob Sims sign a proclamation declaring March 2021 as Texas History Month in Breckenridge.
The State of Texas also observes Texas History Month, which was first officially designated in 2003 by the Texas Legislature to honor those Texans who helped shape the history of the State of Texas and in recognition of events throughout Texas’ history. In the Texas Government Code that deals with holidays and recognition days, the legislators stated, “Texas History Month shall be regularly observed by appropriate celebrations and activities in public schools and other places to promote interest in and knowledge of Texas history.”
March features several significant dates in Texas history, including:
- March 2 — Texas Independent Day — On March 2, 1836, the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed at Washington-on-the-Brazos.
- March 6 — Alamo Heroes Day
- March 27 — Goliad Heroes Day
The DRT website (https://www.drtinfo.org/) includes information about the organization, as well as Texas history.
In addition to local DRT members, also attending the ceremony were DRT President General Carolyn Raney and Republic of Texas History Center Chair Sherry Jenkins. On display at the meeting were drawings and blueprints of the Republic of Texas History Center, which the DRT is building in Austin.
After Sims signed the proclamation, Raney presented him with a Texas flag that flew over the Alamo on March 2, 2020. Jenkins explained that a couple of years ago she attended a fundraiser at the Breckenridge Woman’s Forum and won the opportunity to have the University of Texas flag fly on the city’s flagpole.
“What I didn’t realize was y’all only have one flagpole,” she said with a laugh. “So, the Texas flag came down and the University of Texas flag went up…that doesn’t look good for the DRT president. So, I’m presenting to Breckenridge a flag that flew over the Alamo on March 2, 2020.”
Jenkins said she felt bad about the situation when she found out later.
Members of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas joined Breckenridge Mayor Bob Sims as he proclaimed March to be Texas History Month in the city. Pictured are, front row, from left, Sherry Jenkins, Republic of Texas History Center Chair, Donna Irby, Linda Boose, Mayor Bob Sims, DRT President General Carolyn Raney, Helen Haddock and Susan Hare; middle row, Darla McLeod, Kay Jurecek, Judy Wolfe, Sally Thompson, Jean Edwards and Billie O’Neal; and, third row, Elizabeth Swindle, Mary Frances Thompson, Barbara Trammell, Laura Kestner and Cheryl Belson. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
Cutline, top photo: Breckenridge Mayor Bob Sims signs a proclamation declaring March 2021 to be Texas History Month, as members of the Picketville Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas look on. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)
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