On May 26, 2021, the 87th Texas Legislature declared April 6 to be Tejano Day, marking the date in 1813 when Tejano leaders in Texas issued the first declaration of Texas independence. The day commemorates the historical contributions made by Tejanos over the last three centuries.
According to the Texas State Historical Association, the term “Tejano” derives from the Spanish adjective “tejano” or “tejana,” meaning Texan. “Tejano” with a capital “t” is now used to describe a Texan of Mexican descent.
Other terms throughout history used to describe a Tejano have included Hispanic American, Latin American, Mexican, Mexican American, and Chicano. Through its usage in language, literature, art, music, and cuisine, “Tejano” surpassed its brethren to become the more commonly used term at the end of the twentieth century.
The earliest known reference to Tejanos was in 1824 when Miguel Ramos Arispe, author of the (Mexican) Constitution of 1824, referred to the citizens of Texas as “Tejanos” in correspondence with the council of Bexar.
In 1833, Hispanics in Texas referred to themselves as “Tejanos.” In 1855, the term “Méjico-Tejano” was printed in the San Antonio newspaper, El Bejareño, which referenced a letter by José Antonio Navarro written during a meeting between Spanish-speaking members of the Bexar County Democratic Party.
As the borders of Texas changed to include El Paso, Laredo, and the Nueces Strip, so did the term Tejano, as it came to include Hispanics and Mexicans in the area.
“Tejano” was used to determine a person’s regional origins and distinguish them from other groups such as the “Texians” from the Republic of Texas, which referred to Anglo-Americans residing in the province of Coahuila and Texas between the end of the Spanish era in 1821 the start of Texas’ independence in 1836.
The celebration of Tejano Day honors the Texans of Spanish, Mexican, and Indigenous descent who have contributed significantly to the betterment of the State of Texas.
Tejanos were the early settlers of areas such as San Antonio, Nacogdoches, Victoria, Goliad, and El Paso. Legendary historical Tejano families, with surnames such as Navarro, Ruiz, Menchaca, Arocha, and Seguín, played a considerable role in settling Texas and negotiating peace with Comanche Indians.
On April 6, 1813, Tejanos were the first to declare an independent Texas and participated in the bloody Battle of Medina. Tejanos also went to war with the Spanish Army in the same year.
Tejanos Gregorio Esparza and José Toribio Losoya lost their lives at the Battle of the Alamo. Plácido Benavides and his troops fought battles across South Texas, while Juan Seguín’s company bravely fought in the Battle of San Jacinto.
Tejanos have proven instrumental in fighting for various rights throughout history.
They have championed freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and public education. Notable Tejanos such as Jovita Idár advocated for woman’s suffrage and campaigned against lynching. Restaurateur and civic leader Felix Tijerina endorsed bilingual education. Tejano attorney John J. Herrera won important legal cases related to school segregation, workplace discrimination, and other civil rights issues.
As the Tejano Day Bill Sponsor’s Statement of Intent points out, Tejanos combined flavors and ingredients from Mexico and the United States to form their own distinguishable culture. Music from Tejano artists such as Lydia Mendoza, Flaco Jiménez, Rosita Fernández, and Selena has contributed to the sound of Texas. In a literal sense, this combination of flavors created what is now known as Texas’ iconic Tex-Mex cuisine.
Implementing Tejano Day “is a step in the right direction,” says Tejano Daniel “Boom” Fuentes. “Hopefully, schools will take a day to teach Tejano history.” He noted the hope that commemorating the history of their people will help bridge the gap between old and new generations.
Supporters of Tejano Day also hope that it will do the same for Tejanos and Texans overall.
“The culture of the Lone Star State is inextricably linked with the contributions of Tejanos,” said the sponsors of the Tejano Day Bill. “They were the first to introduce rodeos, expert horsemanship, and the raising of longhorn cattle, which became central to the state’s western identity.”
The Dallas Express reached out to Texas Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., one of the bill’s authors, for comment. However, no response had been received as of press time.