On March 2, 1836, Texas Independence Day recognizes the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence on that day. Over 59 representatives from Texas’ citizens voted to declare independence from Mexico and establish the Republic of Texas with the signing of this document.

The traditional Independence Day celebration in San Antonio features children’s activities, re-enactments, live music from a band, and culinary competitions. Storytelling sessions about how Texas won its independence from Mexico and became a republic are just two of the other events.

HISTORY OF TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY

The Texas Revolution began when the first group of Tejanos and Texians met at Washington-on-the-Brazos to declare their country’s independence from Mexico. Texans are the people who were created when a conference of Tejanos and Texians convened in Washington-on-the-Brazos during the Texas Revolution to announce their country’s independence from Mexico. David Burnet was elected as interim president, while Sam Houston was confirmed as commander-in-chief of all Texas armies.

The Texans also adopted a constitution that explicitly permitted the unrestricted practice of slavery, which had previously been illegal under Mexican law. And in San Antonio, the Alamo was still under attack by Mexican General Antonio de Santa Anna, and the fort’s defenders were waiting for the final assault.

On March 6, 1836, Santa Anna ordered his troops to attack the Alamo. Travis’ artillery repulsed the first and second Mexican charges, but the Texans were overwhelmed in less than an hour, and the Alamo was captured. When Santa Anna ordered that no prisoners be taken, all of the Texan and American defenders were murdered in a bloody hand-to-hand confrontation. TheAlamo’s only survivors were a small group of civilians, mainly women and children, who managed to escape during the siege and storming. Hundreds of Santa Anna’s soldiers perished during the siege and assault on the Alamo.

After the battle at Gonzales in April 1836, a large Texan force under General Sam Houston attacked Santa Anna’s army at San Jacinto. The Texans overwhelmed the Mexicans and took Santa Anna captive. Santa Anna was forced to accept Texas’ separation and withdraw his troops south of the Rio Grande after being captured by Texans. The Republic of Texas joined the United States as a result of a negotiated agreement by members of the United States Congress nine years after the Texas Declaration of Independence was written.

On December 29, 1845, the United States Congress approved Texas’ admittance into the Union as an official member. Sam Houston Day and the Texas Flag are observed on March 2, although they are not legal holidays.