Six Flags Over Texas

Texas has been under six flags—Spain, France, Mexico, Republic of Texas, Confederate States of America, and United States of America. The city of Laredo, Texas claims seven flags—one for the short-lived (1840 only) Republic of Rio Grande. A seventh flag is sometimes added for Native Americans (such as the Comanche flag).
 
The term “six flags” was popularized by the 1897 book title: Under Six Flags: The Story of Texas. In 1961, the first Six Flags amusement park opened near Dallas (in Arlington), further popularizing the term.
   
   
Wikipedia: Six flags over Texas
Six flags over Texas is the slogan used to describe the six nations that have had sovereignty over various parts of the land now known as Texas. This slogan has been incorporated into shopping malls, theme parks (Six Flags) and other enterprises. The “six flags” are also shown on the reverse of the Seal of Texas. The Texas Historical Commission adopted standard designs for the Six Flags over Texas, which are published in the June 20, 1997 issue of the Texas Register, volume 22, pages 5959-5967.

Spain
The first flag belonged to Spain, which ruled parts of Texas from 1529 to 1685 and from 1690 to 1821. There were two versions of the Spanish flag used during this period. Both designs incorporate the “castle and lion” emblems of the Crown of Castile and Leon. The Spanish flag used in the reverse of the Texas state seal, which was also adopted by the Texas State Historical Commission, is the flag adopted by King Charles III, containing horizontal stripes of red-gold-red and the simple arms of Castile and Leon. This flag was used by Spain from 1793 to 1931.

France
The second flag belonged to France from 1685 to 1690. In 1684, French nobleman Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle founded a colony on the Texas Gulf Coast called Fort Saint Louis. The colony was unsuccessful, and after La Salle’s murder, was soon abandoned. During this time, there was no official French flag, so a number of different designs are used in displays of the “six flags”.
 
Mexico
The third flag flown (1821 through 1836) was the flag of Mexico. Mexico obtained sovereignty from Spain in 1821. The Mexican flag displayed in the Austin Capitol is the one of the Mexican Republic of 1823 through 1864. This flag was in use in Texas until its independence from Mexico in 1836 (Texas’s declaration of independence).
 
Republic of Texas
The fourth flag belonged to the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 1845. The republic had two national flags during its history, the first being the so-called “Burnet Flag” (see Flag of Texas). The “Lone Star Flag”, the final national flag, is also the state flag.
 
Confederate States of America
The fifth flag belonged to the Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865. During this time, the Confederacy had three national flags.
 
United States of America
The sixth flag belonged to the United States of America from 1845 to 1861 and from 1865 to this day.
 
Flag of the Republic of Rio Grande
There is a seventh flag for those who live in the southern part of Texas along the Rio Grande river: The flag of the Republic of the Rio Grande. It is not considered one of Texas’s flags because the Republic of Texas and the Republic of the Rio Grande both claimed some of the same land. However, in Laredo, the capital of the short-lived Republic of the Rio Grande, the local newspaper displays seven flags instead of six.
 
Wikipedia: Republic of the Rio Grande
The Republic of the Rio Grande existed briefly in North America between the Republic of Texas and Mexico, from January 17 to November 6, 1840.
 
Wikipedia: Six Flags
Six Flags Theme Parks (commonly Six Flags) is the world’s largest chain of amusement parks and theme parks, in terms of number of properties. The company maintains 19 properties located throughout North America, including theme parks, water parks and family entertainment centers. The company’s headquarters is located in New York City.
 
The company took its name from its first property, Six Flags Over Texas, and the six flags that have flown over the state of Texas during its history, namely those of Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the United States of America and the Confederate States of America.
 
In 2006, Six Flags properties hosted approximately 28.5 million guests, making it the second most popular theme park company in the world, behind only Disney Parks.
(...)
The Six Flags chain began in 1961 with the creation of Six Flags Over Texas by Angus G. Wynne of Arlington, Texas, which initially featured a Native American village, a gondola ride, a railroad, some Wild West shows, a stagecoach ride, and “Skull Island”, a pirate-themed adventure attraction. There was also an excursion aboard “French” boats through a wilderness full of animated puppets. Over time, all of those attractions, except for the railroad, would be replaced by others, such as roller coasters, swing rides, log flumes, and shoot-the-chute rides, as well as an observation tower.

(OCLC WorldCat record)
Title: Under six flags;
the story of Texas,
Author(s): Davis, M. E. M. 1852-1909.  (Mollie Evelyn Moore),
Publication: Boston, London, Ginn & Co.,
Year: 1897
Description: ix, 187 p. front., illus., plates, maps. 20 cm.
Language: English
 
28 July 1935, San Antonio (TX) Light, part 1, pg. 11, col. 4:
TEXAS’ SEVEN FLAGS.
Texas has been under seven flags, instead of six as heretofore recorded in history. The Comanche flag also waved there, finds Author Mary Jordan Atkinson.
 
16 April 1972, San Antonio (TX) Express and News, pg. 1E, col. 1:
The Battle of Flowers Association will recognize the Indians as forebearers of modern Texas in the 77th Battle of Flowers parade Friday. “Seven Flags of Texas” is the theme for this year’s parade for which the flags of the Indian Nations, Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States and the United States of America will fly in the parade’s 11 sections.