Happy Texas Independence Day. But Texas isn't independent, you say. Very true. And the best move it ever made, after seceding from Mexico 175 years ago, was giving up its independence and joining the US. The worst move came soon after that, when it seceded again, this time into the Confederacy in 1861. Then it was back into the arms of Uncle Sam in 1865, and ever since then all has been smiles and ten-gallon hats. Notwithstanding the occasional tantrum.