Not to take anything away from Texas as it celebrates the 150th anniversary of its independence, but reader Paul V. Lutz goes a step too far in referring to it as “the only state (outside the original thirteen) to achieve independence by revolution.” Less well known, perhaps, but no less a historical fact, is California’s onetime status as the California Republic following the revolt against Mexican authority in 1846.

True, the “Bear Flag Republic” under President William Brown Ide existed only from mid-June until the Stars and Stripes were raised some three weeks later, but during that short time California was indeed another state outside the original thirteen to achieve its independence by revolution.