THE HISTORY UNDER THE STAR SERIES provides an engaging experience to hear from the best historians on the history of Texas. Dr. Andrés Tijerina will provide a brief review of the role of Tejanos in the founding of Texas and their legacy in the legal and cultural institutions that distinguish Texas historically from other states of Mexico and the U.S. It will provide a summary of Tejanos involved in the Texas Revolution from the Battle of Medina in 1813, the Battle of Béxar, the Alamo, and the Battle of San Jacinto. The discussion will conclude with a historical narrative of the experience of Tejanos in politics, government, and the economy of Texas during and after the Republic of Texas.
Andrés Tijerina retired as Professor Emeritus of History at Austin Community College. He received his B.A. from Texas A&M University, his M.A. from Texas Tech University, and his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. Before teaching, he served as State Agency Executive Director of the Texas Good Neighbor Commission and as a Group Manager for Motorola Semiconductor, Inc. in Austin. Dr. Tijerina has received state and national book prizes for his books such as Tejanos and Texas, Tejano Empire, and Beasley’s Vaqueros. His most widely read work is his combat memoir in the Time-Life Books series The Vietnam Experience. As a pilot in the Air Force, Dr. Tijerina flew over 100 combat missions in Vietnam, receiving the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He served as Liason Officer for the Air Force Academy, and retired as a Major.
He is a Fellow of the Texas State Historical Association, co-editor of the TSHA online Handbook of Tejano History, a Past-President of the Texas Institute of Letters, and one of the founders of the Tejano Monument at the Texas state capitol. Dr. Tijerina was the founding Chairperson of the first statewide Texas Hispanic Genealogy Conference held in Austin, Texas, in 1979, and was featured in the National Geographic program “Drain the Oceans” episode on “The Alamo.” Most recently, he was nominated for “Texan of the Year” for 2023 by the Dallas Morning News and presented the “2024 Hispanic Leader Award” in Chicago, Ill. by The Hispanic Public Media and Radio Internacional Universitaria.
This session of the History Under the Star lecture series will run from 5:00 to 6:00 and will be followed by a time for questions and answers, and a reception.
Cost: $5 per person/$3 for Museum members; students are free. Purchase your ticket today.