Texas marks Independence Day on March 2, commemorating the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836, when 59 delegates approved the document at Washington-on-the-Brazos, reports Baltimore Chronicle via NBCDFW. Historians state that the original declaration and five copies were drafted and signed that day, formally severing political ties with Mexico and establishing the Republic of Texas.
The events that led to the declaration trace back to 1821, when Mexico controlled vast tracts of sparsely populated territory in what is now Texas. To encourage settlement, the Mexican government authorized empresarios to recruit colonists. Among them was Stephen F. Austin, who established San Felipe de Austin as a central settlement and brought approximately 300 settlers into the region under his contract.
Political tensions escalated after Antonio López de Santa Anna rose to the presidency of Mexico. Many Anglo-American settlers in Texas opposed the shifting political structure under his leadership, and discussions about autonomy and eventual independence intensified.
In 1835, Mexican authorities dispatched troops to Gonzales to recover a cannon that had previously been loaned to local settlers. Upon the soldiers’ arrival, Texan residents displayed a flag bearing the message “Come and take it.” The confrontation became one of the opening incidents of the Texas Revolution.
Hostilities expanded as Texan forces moved to seize strategic positions, including the Alamo mission. In response, Santa Anna advanced with an estimated force of 6,500 troops to retake the compound. While military operations were unfolding, delegates convened at Washington-on-the-Brazos and, on March 2, 1836, formally declared Texas an independent republic.
On March 6, 1836, Santa Anna’s forces launched a pre-dawn assault on the Alamo and regained control of the mission within roughly an hour. The battle gave rise to the rallying cry “Remember the Alamo,” which became a unifying slogan for Texan forces.
As Mexican troops advanced, Texan civilians and fighters withdrew eastward in what became known as the Runaway Scrape, destroying settlements and supplies along the route to prevent them from falling into enemy hands.
Following a series of engagements, Sam Houston was appointed commander-in-chief of the regular Texas Army. On April 21, 1836, Houston led his troops in a surprise attack at the Battle of San Jacinto. The assault overwhelmed Santa Anna’s army in a brief but decisive confrontation.
Santa Anna was captured the following day and subsequently signed the Treaty of Velasco on April 22, recognizing Texas as an independent nation. The agreement marked the effective end of the revolution and laid the groundwork for the Republic of Texas.
Today, Texas Independence Day is observed annually on March 2, with residents marking the anniversary of the declaration that established Texas as a sovereign republic.
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