AUSTIN - Today Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced the Texas General Land Office's (GLO) Save Texas History program will launch its 2nd Annual Top Texan Tournament tomorrow, March 2nd, in commemoration of Texas Independence Day and Texas History Month.
"Our second annual Top Texan Tournament is a chance to learn more about the men and women who have shaped our great state," said Commissioner George P. Bush. "Whether they're presidents, war heroes, or founding fathers, we have a history of greatness here in Texas. Traveling throughout our state you'll see the names of the best Texas has had to offer. Their stories are our stories, their victories are our victories, and their accomplishments are our inspiration today. Last year we saw Sam Houston crowned as the Top Texan, and I look forward to seeing who wins this year."
The Top Texan Tournament allows users to vote for their favorite Texan among 64 figures from throughout the state's history and can be accessed at SaveTexasHistory.org/TopTexan. The tournament will last through the beginning of April. Similar to NCAA March Madness, Texans will be able to submit their bracket predictions before voting begins for the chance to win history-themed prizes. The deadline to submit bracket predictions is Wednesday, March 22. The tournament features six voting rounds following the prediction round, with the final voting round closing on Monday, April 3 at 11:59 p.m. The technology used to power the bracket will automatically rank users after each round based on the accuracy of their predictions.
The tournament features six voting rounds following the prediction round, with the final voting round closing on Monday, April 3 at 11:59 p.m. The technology used to power the bracket will automatically rank users after each round based on the accuracy of their predictions.
The grand prize includes a Texas flag flown over the Alamo on March 6, 2017, a $500 gift card to TXHumor.com, a one-year homestead membership to the Bullock Texas State History Museum, a one-year membership to and book bundle from the Texas State Historical Association, a hardcover 2016-2017 Texas Almanac, a map reproduction of the winner's choice from the Texas General Land Office Archive, and assorted Save Texas History items.
The prize for the top point earner for the first five rounds includes a $100 gift card to TXHumor.com, a flexbound 2016-2017 Texas Almanac, a pair of tickets to the Bullock Texas State History Museum, and assorted Save Texas History items.
Winners of the bracket and the prediction contest will be announced on Tuesday, April 4 at approximately 10 a.m. on the Texas General Land Office Facebook page at Facebook.com/TXGLO.
Tournament sponsors include the Alamo, the Bullock Texas State History Museum, the Texas State Historical Association, and Texas Humor (Sauceda Industries, LLC).
About Save Texas History
Created in 2004, the Save Texas History program is a statewide initiative to rally public support and private funding for the preservation and promotion of the historic maps and documents housed in the GLO Archives, and serves as a resource for teaching and digitizing Texas history. If you would like to donate to the Save Texas History program to adopt a document or collection, assist with archival acquisitions, develop educational programs, or support digital projects, please visit
SaveTexasHistory.org. Follow Save Texas History on Facebook at
Facebook.com/SaveTXHistory and Twitter at
Twitter.com/SaveTXHistory.
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