On February 23, 1836, the siege of The Alamo began in San Antonio, Texas. This battle between Mexican forces and Texians lasted 13 days and was part of the Texas Revolution. At the time, Texas was a province of Mexico, but the war to become an independent state began in October, 1835.

Although the majority of defenders of The Alamo were American and Tejano settlers, several bands of fighters came to assist in the effort, including Davy Crockett from Tennessee and Jim Bowie from Louisiana.

Even though the defenders of The Alamo failed to win the battle, it was a turning point in the war. Sam Houston's army later defeated General Santa Anna's forces at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, in which the now infamous battle cry "Remember The Alamo!" was emblazoned into the history books.

The Republic of Texas was formed after the Battle of San Jacinto, but it did not remain an independent state for long. After nine years of independence, Texas was annexed into the United States in 1845 due to its ongoing financial problems and difficulty defending itself against Mexico.

The independent spirit of many Texans and the cultural diversity of the state has positively contributed to the U.S. society since its annexation. The dedication and desire for freedom displayed by those who defended The Alamo has been passed down from generation to generation.

Today, The Alamo stands as a beacon of inspiration and a reminder of the past when brave men stood against overwhelming odds of defeat yet refused to surrender. I wonder how many people would do the same in this day and age, if their liberty was threatened or they were forced to live under the rule of an oppressive leader.

"Remember The Alamo!"


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