Six Flags theme parks make up a large chain of popular theme parks in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Six Flags parks are noted for their exciting and scary thrill rides, such as roller coasters ; water-park rides; and themed areas. They also have rides for children and families, concerts and shows, games, and other forms of family entertainment.
Texas businessman Angus G. Wynne developed the first Six Flags theme park, which opened in August 1961 in Arlington , Texas. It was called Six Flags Over Texas. Wynne had wanted to create an affordable and conveniently located family entertainment park with themed presentations to teach visitors about Texas history. The name Six Flags refers to the flags of the six different countries that claimed Texas or parts of it during its early history. These six countries were Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas , the United States of America, and the Confederate States of America .
When Six Flags Over Texas opened, it was divided into six themed sections. These sections represented life in Texas under each of the six nations that had claimed the land. The park offered the first-ever “pay one price” admission fee. For a single fee, visitors had access to all the park’s rides and attractions. At the time, similar parks charged separate fees for each ride and attraction. During its first operating season, which spanned about four months, more than half a million people visited the park. Within a decade, two more Six Flags parks opened, in Austell, Georgia; and Eureka, Missouri.
The Six Flags chain eventually expanded across the United States and elsewhere in North America. Many of the Six Flags parks were acquired from other, independent owners and rebranded—that is, they were redesigned to reflect the Six Flags theme. Since its first park opened in 1961, the Six Flags chain has undergone a number of ownership changes. Today, the parks are owned by Six Flags Entertainment Corporation.
