Texas 175th anniversary

Texas Independence

Texas Independence was won 175 years ago and there are two significant events coming up you  probably knew about, but just needed a reminder.  Consider yourselves reminded.

Back in my teaching days I would always tell the students that no matter where they were or what they were doing, they should stop and take time to remember Texas Independence Day is March 2 and that the Alamo fell on March 6.  Both those events took place in the year 1836.

I also told the students that when they were old enough, they would be very patriotic Texans if they did remember those days with reverence, and in addition, it would be a good idea to have a barbecue and raise a toast or two to the heroes of the Alamo in March and the heroes of San Jacinto later on in April.

I remember quite well back in 1986 when Texas celebrated its sesquicentennial, or 150th anniversary, with a number of statewide events and activities.  This year the big word to describe the celebration is terquasquicentennial, or 175th anniversary.  If you don’t already, this is the year you can participate in honoring past Texans who gave us the rich history we have come to know and love and cherish.  And if you cannot make it to any of the so called official celebrations, remember you can always have that barbecue I mentioned earlier.

Some of the official celebrations will be held both in Austin and in San Antonio and that is where I will be.  I’ll get more specific the closer we get to the March dates.  In the meantime, you also have some planning time to get your own celebration plans together, even if the celebration and remembrance is in your own backyard.

In many past years, I would  travel to San Antonio and spend a couple of days in early March if at all possible.  On numerous occasions I would stay at a cheap motel near the end of Houston Street by the Interstate.  Early in the morning on March 6, I would walk the many blocks downtown to the Alamo.  I would walk past the derelicts sleeping on the metal benches and in doorways.  It was still chilly in early March and they would have their packs with them stuffed full of extra clothing.  There would also usually be several groups of Jehovah’s Witness ladies holding  WatchTower magazines in their hands and proselytizing in Spanish.  I would also walk past the Majestic Theater which now hosts the most splendid performances of stage and music.

I made my way on down to Alamo Plaza just at sunrise and I would sit on the low retaining walls across the street from the Alamo.  I knew that where I was sitting was hallowed ground and that men had died there.  It could have been Alamo defenders or Santa Anna’s soldados, common soldiers ordered to their deaths against the withering fire from the defender’s deadly accurate Kentucky long rifles.

Some years I would make that trek down Houston street and sometimes I would stay closer in at the Menger or the Crockett.  This year I will also walk down the street to be at the Alamo to participate in a solemn ceremony at daybreak.

As I said earlier, I will explain more on Texas Independence celebration activities planned in San Antonio and Austin.  In the meantime, you have time to plan your own celebration of Texas Independence.

Next up….Why the Texians flew the 1824 flag over the Alamo when the Alamo fell in 1836.

Tagged as: Alamo, david werst, texas independence day, Texas Lifestyle