December 2016

Calendar of Upcoming Events

Calendar of Upcoming Events

January 26: Mirabeau B. Lamar Day – Mirabeau B. Lamar is honored as Texas’ Father of Education. Lamar served as second president of the Republic of Texas from 1838 to 1841. During his administration, Congress granted each of the existing 23 counties four leagues of land to be used for education and set aside 50 leagues of land for the development of a university. Lamar supported the Homestead Act of 1839, and during his term the Lone Star flag and state seal were officially adopted.

February 19: Texas Statehood Day – The legal entry of Texas into the Union was December 29, 1845, but the decade-old Republic of Texas did not formally transfer the authority to the new state of Texas until February 19, 1846.

The Texans had until the end of the year in 1845 to accept the annexation as one of the states of the United States of America. They waited until December 29, 1845, to accept the terms, independent to the end. The formal transfer of authority from the Republic of Texas took place February 19, 1846, at the log Capitol in Austin with Pres. Anson Jones presiding. On this day, we celebrate the end of the Republic of Texas.

February 23: Third Annual Republic of Texas Museum Symposium – The following topics will be discussed at the symposium:

  • Review of “From a Watery Grave: The Discovery and Excavation of La Salle’s Shipwreck, La Belle” by Dr. James E. Bruseth
  • “The Battle of Medina” presented by Al McGraw
    • The bloodiest battle of the Texas Revolution, August 18, 1813, Gutierrez-Magee Expedition
  • Review of “Sea of Mud: The Retreat of the Mexican Army After San Jacinto, An Archeological Investigation” Dr. Gregg Dimmick
    • An archeological investigation where soldiers and camp followers of the Battle of San Jacinto foundered in muddy fields of Wharton County, Texas

Further info on purchasing tickets will be available January 1 on the DRT member website.

March 2: Texas Independence Day – On this date, the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed at Washington-on-the-Brazos. The 59 signers met in a large frame blacksmith shop with only cotton cloth over the window openings to keep the cold out. Sam Houston was there along with 58 other representatives, 52 of whom were American-born. Many of the signers wished to be at the battlefields, but Houston convinced the signers that this declaration would give them some basis of legality and would help draw more assistance from the United States.

This day was also Sam Houston’s birthday. He was born on this date in 1793 in Virginia. He went on to become governor of Tennessee, hero of the Texas Revolution, twice president of the Republic of Texas and a U.S. senator.

March 6: Alamo Heroes Day – On this date in 1836, the siege of the Alamo was ended when Santa Anna’s forces stormed the Alamo and killed all of the defenders. This is the day that prompted the cry “Remember the Alamo.” The renovated Long Barrack Museum is the site where the bloodiest hand-to-hand fighting occurred. The names of the defenders who died that day are recorded on a granite memorial.

Annually, the Alamo Mission chapter holds an observance at the Alamo to honor the patriots who died there.

March 27: Goliad Heroes Day – Following the fall of the Alamo, the Mexican Army, under the command of Gen. Santa Anna, attacked Col. James W. Fannin’s men at Goliad. Fannin was forced to surrender. On March 27, 1836, 320 prisoners were executed, the largest loss of life in the cause of Texas independence. “Remember Goliad!” became one of the great battle cries at San Jacinto.