Dallas, Texas, is abundant with memorable sights and unique history. Check out these interesting historical facts about the city of Dallas.
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Important History at the Dallas Public Library
The Dallas Public Library offers the community a wide selection of books, videos, and important historical documents. A first-edition copy of the Declaration of Independence is on display at the library. Located in the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, this important document is carefully secured with a glass material that protects it from temperature changes, light damage, and humidity. There are only 26 copies of the 200 made in existence today and you can view one of them right at the library.
The Dallas Public Library is also home to the first folio of William Shakespeare’s “Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies.” Although none of Shakespeare’s plays were published while he was still alive, a few close friends published them into a book after his death. There are only about 250 copies left of the original 1,200 printed, with one of them securely located at the Dallas library.
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Dallas Made Cheerleading a Professional Sport
Cheerleading has been a favored sport for many years. What many Americans do not realize is that the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders shaped the sport as we know it today. While you can view behind the scenes auditions and team practices on the reality TV show, “Making the Team,” the Dallas team actually dates back to 1972.
The first Dallas Cowboys cheerleading team was called the CowBelles & Beaux. They were one of the first cheerleading teams to use a professional choreographer and up the requirements of becoming an iconic Dallas Cowboys cheerleader.
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The Super Bowl Started in Dallas
Many Dallasites would agree that the history of football is as important as the history of Dallas. In fact, the term “Super Bowl” actually began right in Dallas. This highly anticipated football game was previously referred to as the “AFL-NFL Championship Game,” as a merger of the American Football League and the National Football League. Other considered names included, “The Big One” and “Pro Bowl,” but after founder Lamar Hunt coined the term in a letter to the NFL commissioner, it stuck.
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Dallas Is the Largest Arts District in the U.S.
When you consider a thriving art scene, you probably think of New York City. You might be surprised to learn that Dallas is actually the largest arts district in the entire United States. The district is filled with delectable restaurants, five-star hotels, and over 19 blocks of historical museums and art galleries.
Just a few of the art galleries you will find within the Dallas Arts District include the Crow Museum of Asian Art, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and the Dallas Museum of Art. The district also hosts frequent art festivals and block parties that attract visitors from all over the world.
Dallas, Texas, has an interesting history. You can easily spend the weekend exploring the unique historical attractions of the city.
Image by TexasExplorer98 via Flickr | CC BY 2.0 | Cropped from original