So, originally, these threads used to be stopped at around 1000 replies and another was formed. I don't know the exact reasoning behind it, but my guess is that large threads put a load on the servers because I've known other websites that said that was the case. Regardless of the reason, that tradition died about 4-5 years ago from what my research indicates. I also believe that at some point someone didn't realize that there was an actual numbering, and just jumped the gun and used a roman numeral combination that looked cool (like XXX). When I made the thread my application year, no one had made one for almost half the application cycle, so I searched up and down through SDN to find the right number, and I ended up basing it off the highest number I could find and then just adding one.
Anyways, I hope my breif history of the Republic of Texas threads is accurate and didn't bore you. Maybe one day in the future, if the ROT threads die, a young pre-med will stumble upon my post and resurrect them to carry on the tradition of letting every other state know how much more awesome than them we are.
Also, Earl Simmons messed up with the OP. There's supposed to be a Gonzalez come and take it flag and a Texas flag, like the one below. Please edit if you read this. Also remember to correct next year's applicants if they do the same thing.