Hundreds Gather in Huntsville to Celebrate Texas Legend Sam Houston's Birthday

Annual 'Baptized A Texan' ceremony welcomes new Lone Star State residents

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

Dozens of people traveled to Huntsville, Texas to mark the birthday of General Sam Houston, a legendary figure in the state's history. One of the highlights of the annual celebration is the 'Baptized Texan' ceremony, where those born outside of Texas officially claim their Lone Star status. This year's participants included Leslie Davis, a Central Texas resident originally from Detroit, who shared that she has been looking forward to this moment for 12 years and now feels like a true Texan.

Why it matters

The General Sam Houston Birthday Celebration is part of the 'Lone Star Life, Legacy and Legends' series, which honors the history and spirit of the people who call Texas home. The 'Baptized Texan' ceremony is a unique tradition that reflects the state's proud identity and welcoming spirit towards new residents.

The details

The event took place at the Gibbs-Powell Walker County Museum in Huntsville. Dozens of people, including Leslie Davis from Central Texas, participated in the 'Baptized Texan' ceremony, where they officially claimed their Lone Star status after moving to the state. The celebration is an annual tradition that pays tribute to General Sam Houston, a legendary figure in Texas history.

  • The General Sam Houston Birthday Celebration took place on March 2, 2026.

The players

General Sam Houston

A legendary figure in Texas history who the annual celebration honors.

Leslie Davis

A Central Texas resident originally from Detroit who participated in the 'Baptized Texan' ceremony, officially claiming her Lone Star status after living in the state for 12 years.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“After the ceremony, she shared that she finally feels like a true Texan.”

— Leslie Davis (fox44news.com)

The takeaway

The General Sam Houston Birthday Celebration and 'Baptized Texan' ceremony reflect Texas' proud identity and welcoming spirit towards new residents, honoring the state's history and the people who call it home.