I never expected to learn about history on my way to ride roller coasters. This is about Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington.

When I first heard the name, I thought it was just an amusement park with six flags planted in it. I assumed that was the original name of the company.

But it was the other way around. The name of the park, Six Flags, was the starting point, not the chain name.

The park opened on August 5, 1961. It all started when real estate developer Angus Wynne Jr. visited Disneyland in California and decided that Texas needed something like that.

The six flags represent the six governments that ruled over Texas. They are Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederacy, and the United States.

When the park opened, it was themed around these six countries, creating areas that naturally took visitors through a timeline while riding attractions.

Each one is quite interesting. According to the Texas State Library, Spain occupied the land from 1519 to 1685 and again from 1690 to 1821.

In between, France briefly took over from 1685 to 1690, just five years.

The small colony established by explorer La Salle didn't last long, which is why it ended. For a flag, that's a very short tenure. It's like a resident who leaves during their probation period at a hospital.

In summary, Spain was a long-term occupant for nearly 300 years over two periods, while France was more of a short-term contractor. Even though they had the same flag, the weight of their presence was very different.

Next came Mexico. After gaining independence from Spain in 1821, Mexico ruled Texas until 1836.

From 1836 to 1845, Texas was an independent nation, known as the Republic of Texas. This is likely why Texans take pride in their history.

Texas joined the United States in 1845, but from 1861 to 1865, it was part of the Confederacy. After the Civil War, it returned to the U.S. and has remained so since.

There's also an interesting story behind the name. Wyn originally wanted to call the park Texas Under Six Flags.

However, there was pushback because Texans didn't want to be seen as being under anyone. That's why Under was changed to Over.

There are different accounts of who made that statement. Some say it was his wife, Joan, while others claim it was a descendant of the Republic of Texas or the park's entertainment director.

Regardless of who said it, I like this story. It reflects the pride of Texans in just one preposition. It also reminds me of the times I confused under and over in English tests.

There's an interesting coincidence as well. The very year the park opened, the Texas state legislature adopted a design for the state seal that included six flags on the back.

According to the Texas Secretary of State's office, this design was approved by the governor on August 26, 1961, just three weeks after the park opened. It seems Texas was quite serious about flags that year.

Of course, this story hasn't always been lighthearted. One of the six flags was that of the Confederacy.

After the violent events in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017, the park took down the Confederate flag. Initially, they argued that it was the national flag of the Confederacy, not the battle flag, and that guests could distinguish between the two. However, they changed their stance within a few days.

Ultimately, all six flag positions were filled with the American flag. The flags of the other four countries were also taken down.

Reactions were mixed. Some criticized it as erasing history, while others argued it wasn't a symbol that should be displayed at the entrance of an amusement park.

I view this issue differently. Teaching about the Confederacy in history books and museums is certainly necessary. However, whether it should be displayed at the entrance where families are waiting is another matter.

That said, I don't think the name needs to change. The name Six Flags has already become a way to remember Texas history.

From an immigrant's perspective, this story resonates differently. The fact that the land has had six different owners signifies that many diverse people have passed through this land.

We, too, living in Texas now, are part of that long list. We may not have flags, but we each have at least one kimchi refrigerator.

The next time you find yourself in Arlington, take a moment while waiting in line for the coaster to reflect on the fact that this name actually represents over 500 years of history.

Oh, and make sure to bring water while you wait. The Texas sun is equally hot under any flag.