Commissioner George P. Bush announces 4th annual Save Texas History Top Texan Tournament
Build a bracket and vote in interactive contest celebrating Texas Independence Day
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Karina.Erickson@GLO.Texas.Gov
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AUSTIN — Today Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced that the Texas General Land Office's (GLO) Save Texas History Program's 4th Annual Top Texan Tournament has begun.
"Our fourth 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 founding fathers and mothers, war heroes, suffragettes, civil rights leaders, artists, or presidents, we have a history of greatness here in Texas. Their stories are our stories, their victories are our victories, and their accomplishments are our inspiration today. Last year we saw Stephen F. Austin crowned as the Top Texan, ending Sam Houston’s run of two straight victories, 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. This year, the field has been evenly split between some of Texas history’s most notable men and women, 32 notable Texas men, and 32 notable Texas women.
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 Sunday, March 17.
The tournament features six voting rounds following the prediction round, with the final voting round closing on Thursday, April 4 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 special items from the GLO's Save Texas History Program: an "I Saved Texas History" t-shirt; the book Connecting Texas: 300 Years of Trails, Rails & Roads, which features over 40 maps from the GLO; a historic Texas map reproduction from the GLO Archives; and other great prizes! The top point earner for each of the first five rounds will also receive a special prize from the Save Texas History Program.
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/SaveTXHistoryMore Press Releases