Posted
on April 21, 2016
 |
| San Jacinto Monument |
Today
is an important anniversary in the state of Texas – the anniversary
of the day when Texas won its independence from Mexico on the
battlefield.
Texas
celebrates its Independence Day on March 2.
That's the date in 1836 when settlers in Mexican Texas official
declared independence and launched the war we call the Texas
Revolution.
Today
is the date in 1836 when that revolution ended with a decisive
victory for General Sam Houston and his Texian Army.
The
battle lasted just 18 minutes!
Santa
Anna was the President of Mexico, at the time, and was right there at
the battlefield as the head general. He did not die in the battle,
but rather hid in a marsh. He was captured the next day, and he ended
up surrendering and negotiating the peace treaty as a prisoner of
war. But Mexican authorities said that they wouldn't honor any
agreements signed by a prisoner! And for years, the Mexican
government talked about reconquering Texas.
Obviously, that never
happened...
How
do Texans celebrate San Jacinto Day?
There
is a re-enactment of the battle, complete with costumes, canons, and
pyrotechnics. There is also a festival with local bands, dancing,
archery lessons, storytellers, a bird show, a snake show, a petting
zoo, and demonstrations of smithing, weaving, spinning, and other
old-time crafts.
Of
course, modern life being what it is, the festival and reenactment
are generally held on the nearest Saturday. This year (2016), that's
April 23.
Also
on this date:
Plan
ahead:
Check out my Pinterest boards for:
And
here are my Pinterest boards for:
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