Your Texas. Your History.

For generations, the Texas State Historical Association has helped Texans discover, preserve, and share the stories that shape our state. From the Handbook of Texas to Texas History Day, TSHA connects students, educators, researchers, and lifelong learners with trusted Texas history.

Battle of San Jacinto, Henry Arthur McArdle, oil on canvas, 1895

Explore Texas

Explore trusted resources from the Texas State Historical Association, including the Handbook of Texas, TSHA Press books, the Southwestern Historical Quarterly, the Texas Almanac, and the Shop Texas collection. Whether you are researching a topic, teaching Texas history, looking for reliable facts, or browsing books and gifts, TSHA offers many ways to connect with the people, places, and stories of Texas.

Explore Texas image of Texas Flag, 1918
Flag of Texas, Harco Schutter, 1918.

Handbook of Texas

placeholder image The Handbook of Texas is a digital state encyclopedia that is freely accessible for students, teachers, scholars, and the public. The Handbook consists of entries focused on the entire history of Texas from the indigenous Native Americans and the Prehistoric Era to the state's diverse population and the Modern Age.

placeholder image

TSHA Press

placeholder image We are the state’s longest-running publisher of books on Texas history, having published our first volume in 1918. Through the years, we have established a reputation as a publisher of high-quality, award-winning books on a wide variety of topics, including exploration, biography, architecture, historic sites, high school football, labor unions, and suburbanization. All lovers of Texas’s rich pasts will find something to enjoy among our books.

SHQ Scholarly Journal

placeholder image The Southwestern Historical Quarterly (SHQ), continuously published since 1897, is the premier source of scholarly information about the history of Texas and the Southwest. Members can log in to the MyTSHA Dashboard to view the first 100 volumes of the Quarterly in our Digital Library. More recent editions are also available to read on MyTSHA thanks to our partners at Project Muse. Printed copies of the Quarterly are a TSHA membership benefit and are widely available in public and private libraries.

Texas Almanac

placeholder image The Texas Almanac is the official State Book of Texas. First published in 1857, it has been an essential reference for the state’s history, government, and development for over a century. From its early years documenting the Texas Revolution to its modern role as a comprehensive guide to Texas’ resources, industries, and culture, the Almanac is a vital resource for anyone looking to understand the Lone Star State. Today, it continues to be a cornerstone of Texan history, managed by Texas State Historical Association.

Shop Texas

placeholder image TSHA is your one stop shop for everything Texas history! Check out our TSHA press publications and general merchandise at Legacy of Texas. We also feature a wide selection of used books on eBay. Interested in adopting a part of Texas? Land Rush offers you the chance to claim ownership to your favorite places in Texas and share your message with the world.


Texas Events

At TSHA, we host a wide range of events. Our TSHA Annual Meeting is the most premiere Texas History event of the year. Learn about interesting niches of Texas at our monthly Texas Talks webinar. The Texas Revolution Symposium is our newest event but it’s sure to be enlightening and engaging. We also offer workshops and professional development events for teachers.

placeholder image

Texas Education

We are dedicated to fostering a deep appreciation and understanding of Texas history among learners of all ages. Our education initiatives provide engaging resources, interactive experiences, and scholarly content for students, educators, and lifelong learners.

Help Topics

Goat Herder at the San Antonio Quarry (1909), by Julian Onderdonk.

Questions?

Looking for answers about Texas history, TSHA services, or genealogy research? Our Help Topics & FAQ page has you covered! Explore the Handbook of Texas, a digital encyclopedia of the state’s history, and find details on entries, author guidelines, and submissions. Learn about TSHA publications, including award-winning books and ordering information. Need help with government services, memberships, or educational programs? Find guidance on state agencies, TSHA support, Texas History Day, and more. Researching history or genealogy? Get resources on land grants, cemeteries, and historical markers. Visit the Help Topics page now to find your answer!

Today In Texas History…

Find out what happened on any given date in Texas history with the Texas Day By Day.

161 years ago today:

German-language paper founded in San Antonio 

Explore the history of the Freie Presse für Texas, founded by August Siemering in 1865, its role in the Republican movement, and its impact on journalism in Texas during Reconstruction.

174 years ago today:

Unhappy colonists start "war" and evict Hedgcoxe 

Explore the events of the Hedgcoxe War in 1852, a pivotal moment in Texas history where settlers protested against land company injustices. Discover the key figures and outcomes of this rebellion.

187 years ago today:

Principal battle of Cherokee War begins 

Explore the significant battle of the Cherokee War that began on this day in 1839 near the Neches River, featuring Texas troops and Cherokee warriors.

144 years ago today:

Texas Bar Association organized in Galveston 

Discover the origins of the Texas Bar Association, established in 1882 in Galveston, and its role in advancing jurisprudence and justice in Texas.
Get the book!

Unlock Texas History, One Day at a Time! Dive into 500 years of Texas history with Gary Vliet’s engaging daily reader, Texas on this Day. An expanded second edition is now available! Get your copy today!

Commemorating 250 years of American independence through the stories, people, and places that shaped Texas and the nation.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, Texans have a unique opportunity to reflect on the state’s role in the American story. Through exhibitions, programs, educational initiatives, and community events across Texas, Texas America250 encourages celebration, reflection, and commemoration at both local and statewide levels. At the Texas State Historical Association, we are proud to support this important moment through our mission-driven work in history education and public engagement, including Texas History Day, and we invite students, educators, and communities to explore this milestone in meaningful ways.

On July 4, 2026, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the greatest nation in the history of the world. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Long may these ideals live in the heart of every Texan and every American. May God bless all who have defended our freedoms that we enjoy each day. And God bless the United States of America.

Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas

Commemorating 250 years of American independence through the stories, people, and places that shaped Texas and the nation.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, Texans have a unique opportunity to reflect on the state’s role in the American story. Through exhibitions, programs, educational initiatives, and community events across Texas, Texas America250 encourages celebration, reflection, and commemoration at both local and statewide levels. At the Texas State Historical Association, we are proud to support this important moment through our mission-driven work in history education and public engagement, including Texas History Day, and we invite students, educators, and communities to explore this milestone in meaningful ways.

On July 4, 2026, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the greatest nation in the history of the world. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Long may these ideals live in the heart of every Texan and every American. May God bless all who have defended our freedoms that we enjoy each day. And God bless the United States of America.

Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas

Find Events

Discover commemorative events across Texas

Explore local and statewide programs, exhibitions, and public events connected to the semiquincentennial and the many stories that shape our shared history.

View Events

Get Involved

Participate through education and community engagement

Learn how students, teachers, families, and local communities can take part in Texas America250 through activities, programs, and opportunities tied to Texas History Day and beyond.

Get Involved

Learn More

Explore the initiative and its broader purpose

Learn more about Texas America250 and the effort to promote deeper understanding of the nation’s founding and the contributions of Texans past and present.

Learn More