Today is Texas Independence Day. On March 2, 1936, a group of delegates from various towns in Mexican Texas met in a small town called Washington-on-the Brazos and declared independence from Mexico. Four days later, on March 6, the Alamo fell, and things did not look so great. But on April 21, 1836, the Texas forces under Sam Houston defeated Mexican President and General Santa Anna at the the battle of San Jacinto, near modern day Houston. The Republic of Texas lasted almost 10 years until it joined the United States and became a state in 1946.
Today, I wish we could win independence from MAGA Republicans, but that seems harder than defeating the Mexicans.
Bruce, given the new Trump war, I assume that an abundance of caution might torpedo your plans for Spain, Morocco, etc.
remember the alamo
I still plan on going, unless Trump decides to invade Morocco.
:o I wish you luck. I hope you have a good time!
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on March 02, 2026, 02:21:22 PMToday is Texas Independence Day. On March 2, 1936, a group of delegates from various towns in Mexican Texas met in a small town called Washington-on-the Brazos and declared independence from Mexico. Four days later, on March 6, the Alamo fell, and things did not look so great. But on April 21, 1836, the Texas forces under Sam Houston defeated Mexican President and General Santa Anna at the the battle of San Jacinto, near modern day Houston. The Republic of Texas lasted almost 10 years until it joined the United States and became a state in 1946.
Today, I wish we could win independence from MAGA Republicans, but that seems harder than defeating the Mexicans.
I was listening to a retelling of these events (and preceding events) recently. Is it possible that one of your ancestors was a fairly prominent Texian?
Quote from: Recusant on March 03, 2026, 07:21:46 AMI was listening to a retelling of these events (and preceding events) recently. Is it possible that one of your ancestors was a fairly prominent Texian?
Yes. Colonel/General Edward Burleson was 1) commander of the Texian forces who evicted the Mexican forces out of San Antonio (before the Alamo); 2) Commander of the center charge of the Texian forces at the battle of San Jacinto, when Santa Anna was defeated; and 3) Vice-President of the Republic of Texas for two years. Lot of things named after him here. He was a great great great great uncle, I believe. We are all related somehow.
Quote from: Ecurb Noselrub on March 04, 2026, 06:03:03 PMYes. Colonel/General Edward Burleson was 1) commander of the Texian forces who evicted the Mexican forces out of San Antonio (before the Alamo); 2) Commander of the center charge of the Texian forces at the battle of San Jacinto, when Santa Anna was defeated; and 3) Vice-President of the Republic of Texas for two years. Lot of things named after him here. He was a great great great great uncle,. I believe. We are all related somehow.
Cool! The story I was listening to covered those events. He appeared to be one of the competent members of a group in which dysfunction was more prevalent than average.
I will add one more thing and then stop. He was in more than 30 battles and never on the losing side: from the battle of New Orleans when he was only about 15 (his dad was an aid to Andrew Jackson), to the Mexican-American war of 1847-48. He fought against Britain, Mexico, Cherokee and Comanche. He didn't get along with anybody, apparently. He was sort of a "shoot first and ask questions later" guy. He had his dark side, but he also founded the town of Waterloo, which became Austin later.
Alright, that's all.
Texas has a much storied past. Fascinating stuff.