Happy Birthday, Texas

Today is Texas Independence Day, the 170th anniversary of the day way back in 1836 when Texas declared her independence from the dictatorial Mexican government led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. Less than two months later, Gen. Sam Houston's Texas army defeated the Mexican forces at the Battle of San Jacinto. Santa Anna was captured and within weeks treaties were signed that ceased hostilities and in effect granted independence to the new Republic of Texas. Texas remained an independent, sovereign nation for almost ten years, until her request for annexation to the United States of America was accepted by the Texas and U.S. congresses and ratified by an overwhelming majority by the citizens of Texas. In December of 1845, Texas became the grandest state of this great nation, the only one to have entered as an independent republic.

Happy Birthday, Texas!

For more insight on the wonders of Texas, see Songbird's A Tribute to Texas, or for details on Texas history visit the Handbook of Texas (or here for information specific to the Republic of Texas).