Texas Independence Day commemorates the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. With the signing of this declaration by more than 59 delegates, Texas residents declared independence from Mexico and founded the Republic of Texas.
The festivities include children’s events, reenactments, live band music, and cook-offs. Other activities include storytelling sessions about how Texas gained independence from Mexico and became a republic.
The background of Texas Independence Day
During the Texas Revolution, a congress of Texians and Tejanos convened at Washington-on-the-Brazos and declared Texas’ independence from Mexico, after which they became known as Texans. David Burnet was elected interim president, and Sam Houston was confirmed as commander-in-chief of all Texas armies.
In addition, the Texans adopted a constitution guaranteeing the unrestricted practise of slavery, which Mexican law had previously prohibited. In the meantime, Mexican General Antonio de Santa Anna continued to besiege the Alamo in San Antonio, and the fort’s defenders awaited the final Mexican assault.
On March 6, Santa Anna ordered his troops to invade the Alamo. The first and second Mexican attacks were repulsed by Travis’s artillery, but the Texans were defeated in less than an hour, and the Alamo was captured. When Santa Anna ordered that no prisoners should be taken, all of the Texan and American defenders were killed in hand-to-hand combat. The only survivors of the Alamo were a small group of civilians, primarily women and children. Hundreds of Santa Anna’s soldiers perished during the siege and siege of the Alamo.
Six weeks later, a massive Texan army led by Houston surprised Santa Anna’s forces at San Jacinto. The Texans defeated Mexican forces and captured Santa Anna. The dictator was compelled to recognise the independence of Texas and withdraw his troops south of the Rio Grande. Nine years after the drafting of the Texas Declaration of Independence, the Republic of Texas was annexed to the United States with the consent of the United States Congress.
The United States Congress officially recognised Texas as a member of the Union on December 29, 1845. Sam Houston Day and Texas Flag Day are also observed on March 2, despite not being recognised as official holidays.
List of Important Days in March 2023
5 TEXAS FACTS THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND
Charles Alderton of Waco, Texas, invented Dr Pepper in 1885; it was first introduced to the public in 1904 and is now distributed globally.
A Dallas restaurateur named Mariano Martinez invented the first frozen margarita machine.
The Six Flags amusement park in Texas is named after the six nations that have ruled Texas: Mexico, Spain, the United States, France, the Confederate States of America, and the Republic of Texas.
Texas has a separate, independent power grid from the rest of the United States.
Bracken Cave in Texas is home to the largest bat colony in North America.
TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | March 2 | Thursday |
| 2024 | March 2 | Saturday |
| 2025 | March 2 | Sunday |
| 2026 | March 2 | Monday |
| 2027 | March 2 | Tuesday |