Alamo Day

Alamo Day

March 6

The cry "Remember the Alamo!" has particular significance for the natives of Texas, which was once part of Mexico. In 1836 a garrison of Texans took a stand against the Mexican army at a Franciscan mission in San Antonio named after the grove of cottonwood trees ( alamo in Spanish) that surrounded it. Led by Lieutenant William Barret Travis, the band of 187 volunteers, including border heroes Davy Crockett and James Bowie, was besieged for 13 days by 3,000-5,000 Mexicans under the leadership of General Antonio López de Santa Anna. Travis refused to surrender and the Alamo was overrun by the opposing army on the morning of March 6. Only women and children among the defenders survived.
The heroic action at the Alamo gave the Texans time to organize the forces necessary to save their independence movement. Six weeks after the Alamo's fall, General Sam Houston defeated and captured Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto ( see San Jacinto Day), forcing him to sign a treaty recognizing Texas' independence. Since 1897, this day has been celebrated as Texas Heroes' Day .
The Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) have managed the Alamo since 1905. DRT is an organization founded by daughters of Texas veterans in 1891 to promote the study and celebration of Texas history.

CONTACTS:
Daughters of the Republic of Texas
P.O. Box 2599
San Antonio, TX 78299
210-225-1391; fax: 210-229-1343
www.thealamo.org
San Antonio Living History Association
5310 San Pedro Ave.
San Antonio, TX 78212
210-273-1730
www.sanantoniolivinghistory.org
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave. S.E.
Washington, DC 20540
202-707-5000; fax: 202-707-8366
www.loc.gov

SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 187
AnnivHol-2000, p. 40
DaysCustFaith-1957, p. 97
DictDays-1988, p. 2

Celebration day: Mar 6