General

"If a person gave away your body to some passerby, you'd be furious. Yet you hand over your mind to anyone who comes along, so they must abuse you, leaving it disturbed and troubled - have you no shame in that?" - Epictetus, Enchiridion, 28 … [Read more...] about Thought of the Day

Do you know when Texas officially became a part of the United States of America? Texas faced many challenges such as being ruled over by Spain, France and Mexico. But Texas finally won its independence in April of 1836. They became the Republic of Texas, but this republic did not last long. “Texas, situated in the south central United States, became the twenty-eighth state in the Union on December 29, 1845.” Texas joined the United States of America and has been a part ever since. Stephens, … [Read more...] about Texas History – When did Texas become a part of the United State?

"So, concerning the things we pursue, and for which we vigorously exert ourselves, we owed this consideration - either there is nothing useful in them, or most aren't useful. Some of them are superfluous, while others aren't worth that much. But we don't discern this and see them as free, when they cost us dearly." - Seneca, Moral Letters, 42.6 … [Read more...] about Thought of the Day

The United States has eight major physiographic regions, these are the Laurentian Upland, the Pacific Mountain System, the Intermontane Plateaus, the Rocky Mountain System, the US Interior Highlands, the Interior Plains, the Appalachian Highlands, and the Atlantic Plain. “Of the eight major physiographic regions in the United States, five are found in Texas. This shows the diversity of Texas, that it can be dry, hot, and flat one place while it is cool, green and have rolling hills in another … [Read more...] about Texas History – Physiographic Regions

"These things don't go together. You must be a unified human being, either good or bad. You must diligently work either on your own reasoning or on things out of your control - take great care with the inside and not what's outside, which is to say, stand with the philosopher, or else with the mob!" -Epictetus, Discourses, 3.15.13 … [Read more...] about Thought of the Day

Texas has been ruled over by different countries and had different capitols throughout those years. There was a temporary capitol at San Felipe de Austin until it was moved. When Texas gained its independence on March 2, 1836 the first official capitol of the Republic of Texas was Washington on the Brazos. It remained the capitol of Texas for only three years before switching to a new city. The other cities chosen as capitols were Harrisburg, Galveston, Velasco, West Columbia, Houston and … [Read more...] about Texas History – How many Capitols has Texas had over the Centuries?

"Above all, it is necessary for a person to have a true self-estimate, for we commonly think we can do more than we really can." -Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind, 5.2 … [Read more...] about Thought of the Day

“In the 1850s the U.S. investigated ways to move military equipment over land to protect the California goldfields. Camel caravans were deemed a possible solution.” (pg.159) The Department of War proposed importing camels to use for military services. Camels have great stamina, they can go days without water, they could eat prickly plants along the road, and they can carry up to 900 pounds, it was for these reasons they thought the camel was a good option. In 1855, Congress designated $30,000 to … [Read more...] about Texas History-Operation Camel