March 2nd is Texas Independence Day, a state holiday in which most Texans celebrate the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence. The document effectively created the Republic of Texas, an independent nation that encompassed present-day Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming from 1836 to 1846. Without that pioneering piece of paper, we might never have laid eyes on the wildly wonderful women in this photo gallery. Today, we go deep into the heart of Texas with pics of chicks born, raised, and/or living in the Lonestar State. They’ll make anyone – Texan or not – proud to be an American.

Yee-haw – It’s Texas Independence Day! On this day in 1836, the Texas Declaration of Independence was adopted. And 173 years later, the state is still big as hell and going strong. So to celebrate this under-appreciated holiday, we’ve rounded-up all the hottest Texans we could find. From Jessica Simpson to Jessica Drake, these lovely ladies are definitely not to be messed with.