Culture
Sam Houston Had Two Hours to Write the Republic’s First Inaugural Address
On October 22, 1836, Sam Houston took office as the Republic of Texas's first elected president at Columbia, with two hours to prepare his inaugural address.
Culture
Stories of Texas's past that bear on its future. Each starts from current news, such as a restoration or an anniversary, and tells the history behind it, checked against the Handbook of Texas and the Texas Historical Commission.
Essential reading
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Galveston Will Restore Its Texas Heroes Monument, Whoever Turns Out to Own It
Galveston will spend about $121,300 to restore the 1900 Texas Heroes Monument, Henry Rosenberg's gift to the heroes of the Texas Revolution, even though no one is sure whether the city or...
- Culture
Santa Anna Falls Prisoner to Houston’s Indomitable Texians
The morning after San Jacinto, a disguised dictator faced the wounded general who crushed his empire in eighteen minutes.
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Houston’s Eighteen Minutes Forge Texas Freedom Forever
April 21, 1836: Texian volunteers crush Santa Anna's army in eighteen minutes, securing independence and proving the indomitable spirit of a nation.
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Burnet’s Birth Forged Texas Independence Leader
On April 14, 1788, David G. Burnet entered a world still recovering from revolution, destined to lead Texas through its own fight for independence.
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Santa Anna Butchers Fannin’s Men at Goliad
On March 27, 1836, Mexican forces executed 342 Texian prisoners at Goliad, transforming defeat into the rallying cry that secured Texas independence.
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Houston Defies Panic and Burns Gonzales for Victory
On March 11, 1836, Sam Houston arrived at Gonzales to find 374 volunteers ready to march into certain death. Instead of glory, he chose the hard path to freedom.
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Frontier Kentucky Forged the Defender of Texas Liberty
On April 10, 1796, James Bowie was born in Kentucky's wilderness, beginning a journey that would end with his ultimate sacrifice for Texas independence at the Alamo.
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Travis Draws Line and Dares Texians to Choose Death
On March 5, 1836, William Travis drew his saber across the Alamo courtyard, offering defenders a choice: flee or die for Texas liberty.
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Jackson Breaks Protocol and Recognizes Texas Sovereignty
On March 3, 1837, Andrew Jackson defied political pressure and formally recognized the Republic of Texas, validating our nation's rightful independence.
- Culture
Childress Defies Mexico and Births Texas Nation
On March 2, 1836, fifty-nine delegates gathered in freezing Washington-on-the-Brazos to declare Texas independence, establishing our enduring right to sovereignty.
- Culture
Texan Delegates Defy Weather and Mexico at Washington-on-the-Brazos
On March 1, 1836, fifty-nine delegates gathered in freezing conditions to birth a nation that would forever prove Texas belongs to Texans.
- Culture
Urrea Crushes Johnson’s Force at San Patricio
General Urrea's surprise attack on February 27, 1836, devastated Texian forces, but Johnson's escape proved the unbreakable Texas spirit.
