On March 6, 1836, after 13 days of intermittent fighting, the Battle of the Alamo comes to a gruesome end, capping off a pivotal moment in the Texas Revolution. Mexican forces were victorious in recapturing the fort, and nearly all of the roughly 200 Texan defenders—including frontiersman Davy Crockett—died.
Thirteen days earlier, on February 23, Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna ordered a siege of the Alamo Mission (near present-day San Antonio), which had been occupied by rebel Texas forces since December. An army of over 1,000 Mexican soldiers began descending on the makeshift fort and setting up artillery.
Over the next two weeks, the two armies traded gunfire, but there were few casualties. Despite being clearly outnumbered, Alamo co-commanders James Bowie and William Travis insisted on remaining in place. The volunteer soldiers defending the Alamo included doctors and farmers, as well as Tennessee frontiersman and Congressman Davy Crockett, who fought in the Tennessee militia.
The final attack came before dawn on March 6. Mexican troops breached the north wall and flooded into the compound, awakening many of the Texans inside. The fighting lasted 90 minutes, some of it hand-to-hand combat. Bowie and Travis were killed, as was Crockett, although reports differ as to exactly how and when. Several Texans reportedly surrendered, but Santa Anna ordered all prisoners be executed. Only a handful survived, mostly women and children. Historians estimate several hundred Mexicans died.
After the battle, the Mexican army marched east. Meanwhile, Sam Houston, commander of the Texas forces, had been building and developing his army in Harris County. “Remember the Alamo!” became their rallying cry as an urgent reminder to avenge their earlier defeat. On April 21, Texas and Mexico fought again at the Battle of San Jacinto. Texas was victorious this time, and won independence from Mexico, bringing the Texas Revolution to an end.
The defense of the Alamo remains a symbol of resistance and revolution. The battle has been immortalized in several TV series and films, including 1960’s The Alamo, starring John Wayne as Davy Crockett.
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An Englishman, a Frenchman, a Texan, and a Mexican are on a plane.
The pilot says, “We don’t have enough fuel to make it, we will need to push out all of our cargo”
The people all push out every last seat and bag that they have, and the pilot regretfully tells them that it is not enough. He says, “3 of you 4 will have to jump out of this plane,”
The Englishman says, “My country is very noble, thus I shall take my life for you. Long live the queen!” And he jumps.
The Frenchman, not to be outdone by the Englishman yells, “Viva la France!” And he jumps.
Finally the Texan goes to the door and yells, “Remember the Alamo!” And he throws out the Mexican.
An oldie but goodie … heard it in grade school …
A small but important point: “Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna ordered a siege of the Alamo Mission (near present-day San Antonio), which had been occupied by rebel Texas forces since December.”
Well… “Rebel”? No. Santa Anna had been elected President of a Mexican Republic, set up very similar to the young US Republic. After being elected, he dissolved the government and declared himself effectively Emperor for life. Several of the Mexican states (including Texas) refused to surrender to the usurper, and declared their rightful independence. At that point Santa Anna began attacking and conquering the states one by one. When he got to Texas, he got his butt handed to him.
Rebels? Nope. Santa Anna was a tyrant who seized illegal power. The Texans became free agents at the moment the Republic was destroyed. Anyone who tells you that “Texas was stolen from Mexico” is lying. Whether they are lying knowingly or are simply ignorant is another question.