March 2, 1836 - Texas Independence Day

The San Jacinto Monument
The tallest concrete pillar memorial monument in the world
(15 feet taller than the Washington Monument).

Happy Texas Independence Day

As a Sixth Generation Native Texan, I must take part of the blog space today and devote it to the history of this great Lone Star State!

(scroll down for today's devotional!)

The Texas Declaration of Independence was signed on this day in 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas. Signed just 4 days before the fall of the Alamo, the Declaration established the Republic of Texas, which existed as a sovereign nation until Texas was brought into the United States by a treaty as the 28th state on December 29, 1845.

Thirteen Days of Glory
The Seige of the Alamo began on
February 23 and ended on March 6, 1836.

Texas won her independence in a final battle on the fields of San Jacinto. The battle cry that day was "Remember the Alamo!" and "Remember Goliad!" (two previous battles lost to the Mexican Army where no mercy was shown and no prisoners taken). The battle lasted 18 minutes, saw no Texian casualties, and ended with the unconditional surrender of General Santa Anna to General Sam Houston.

The Surrender of Santa Anna to Houston, April 21, 1836.


Here are a few flags from the War for Independence.

The Alamo Battle Flag


A Mexican flag with 1824 across the middle, representing the Constitution of Mexico that General Anotonio Lopez de Santa Anna overthrew when he established a military dictatorship.


The First Flag of the Republic


This shows us the Lone Star of Texas.


The Third Flag of the Republic


This is still the flag of Texas today.


While a Republic, Texas included land that is now part of
New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming.

Here is a map of the Republic of Texas.



Here is a map of Texas today.

Texas has existed under six national flags:

Spain
(1519-1685 and 1690-1821)
France
(1685-1690)
Mexico
(1821-1836)
The Republic of Texas
(1836-1845)
The Confederate States of America
(1861-1865)
The United States of America
(1845-1861; 1865-present)

Click here to learn more interesting facts about Texas.

On a personal note, I have pastored churches all around Texas and have come to believe that if the Lord ever did call me to a church outside of Texas, it would have to come with a specific call and appointment to foreign missions. For anywhere else other than Texas just isn't home! :)

God Bless Texas - The Greatest Nation on Earth!

~pastorway