Happy 176th Texas Independence Day!
Today, Texans all over the world celebrate the signing of the declaration of independence from Mexico and the creation of the Republic of Texas on March 2, 1836 (a date you surely committed to memory in your 4th and 7th grade Texas History classes.)
U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison carried on the tradition started by the late Senator John Tower of marking Texas Independence Day on the floor of the United States Senate by reading the famous letter that Colonel William Barret Travis sent from the Alamo. In the letter, Travis writes, “Our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender or retreat.”
And it’s because of Travis, Davy Crockett, and other men who defended the Alamo for thirteen days that General Sam Houston and the Texas army were able to prepare for and win the Battle of San Jacinto.
March 2 also appropriately marks Texas Flag Day and Sam Houston Day. So pop open a cold Shiner and celebrate today by re-reading last year’s Terquasquicentennial Issue of TEXAS MONTHLY and the Texas Declaration of Independence:
