An icon of Texas Independence, the Alamo is Texas most famous and most often visited landmark. To the people of San Antonio, the Alamo is a sacred shrine. The men who fought here made the ultimate sacrifice for liberty. Commemorating a milestone, this important historic site is marking the 175th anniversary of the famed valiant battle.
To understand the events leading up to the battle at the Alamo, lets first visit Gonzales. Gonzales is one of the earliest Anglo-American settlements in Texas. Located between present day San Antonio and Houston, Gonzales is famous as the "Lexington of Texas" and holds title for being the site of the first skirmish of the Texas Revolution.
To understand the events leading up to the battle at the Alamo, lets first visit Gonzales. Gonzales is one of the earliest Anglo-American settlements in Texas. Located between present day San Antonio and Houston, Gonzales is famous as the "Lexington of Texas" and holds title for being the site of the first skirmish of the Texas Revolution.
The term is a reference to the Battle of Lexington, the first battle of the American Revolution. In 1831, the Mexican government gave the settlers of Gonzales a swivel cannon. The cannon was intended for protection against Indian attacks. At the outbreak of Anglo-American and Mexican hostilities, a contingent of Mexican soldiers was sent from San Antonio to reclaim the cannon.
On October 2, 1835, the Mexican soldiers were challenged by a group of Texans. The people of Gonzales had fashioned a white flag with the words "Come and take it." The flag with black lettering and appliquéd black cannon was crafted from the wedding dress belonging to the daughter of one of the town's leaders. The small band of Texans defending their town's cannon successfully resisted the Mexican troops in what became known as the Battle of Gonzales.
Gonzales residents kept their cannon, but hostilities escalated. Less than six-months later in March, 1836, the town sent thirty-two men to the ill-fated defense of the Alamo. It was to Gonzales that a widow of one of those Alamo defenders fled with the first news of the Alamo massacre.
General Sam Houston was camped in Gonzales while organizing the Texas army. Houston expected Gonzales would be the next target of General Antonio López de Santa Anna and the Mexican army. To prevent Gonzales from being taken, Houston ordered the entire town burned. Then set about organizing the town's residents to retreat, precipitating the "Runaway Scrape."
When Jim Bowie, Davy Crockett and others found glory at the Alamo, it was already a crumbling mission, but they fervently believed in Texas Independence. In a letter Tennessee frontiersman Davy Crockett sent home, he referred to Texas as "the garden spot of the world."
To make certain that they didn't miss the point Crockett continued to write "the best land and the best prospects for health I ever saw and I do believe it is a fortune to any man to come here." Some ask was Crockett's high praise exaggerated? Perhaps, but his letter had its desired effect and the rest is Texas history.
Before the battle began, Alamo garrison leader Lt. Col William Travis wrote "Victory or Death" then drew a line in the sand with his sward in the courtyard of the mission asking any man willing to stay and fight with him to step across the line. Those who stayed, fewer than 200, perished at the hands of the formidable 2,500-man Mexican Army on March 6, 1836.
While the Alamo has inspired movies, there is something extra special about seeing it through the eyes of a child, making this a great place to visit with your grandchildren. The Alamo offers a story of courage in the face of overwhelming forces. Budget Travel magazine listed the Alamo among its 15 places every kid (and adult) should see.
A streak of independence still runs strong through the nation's 2nd largest state. Every year in March, Texans honor the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836. Texas joined the Union in 1845, becoming the 28th star on the US flag.
Many still regard Texas as a whole other country, a place where indulging is widespread. Texans encourage being known as both the biggest and the baddest. You can find T-shirts that proclaim "On the 8th day, God created Texas." The shirts remind the rest of us of our inferiority.
San Antonio's indigenous heritage brings a wonderful richness to its culture and while the Alamo marks its 175th anniversary, 2011 might be the best year to "Remember the Alamo" and visit this significant landmark and beautiful city. As for Gonzales, when a state museum asked residents if they might have the town's historic cannon to display, their reply, "Come and take it."
Article Source: http://Ezine Articles.com/expert=Kathy_manney
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