| “There are two places where a nation was born: Philadelphia and Washington, Texas.” We’re not sure who is the original orator of that phrase, but on this day, every year, it’s sure to be repeated here in Texas.
It case you just rode into town, March 2 is Texas Independence Day, and is a legal holiday in the Lone Star State. That may not get you a day off, but it does provide tacit sanction to celebrate, or merely reflect. March 2 marks the day in 1836 – 181 years ago – that 59 delegates held a Constitution Convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos to declare Texas’s independence from Mexico, establishing it as the Republic of Texas. The deadly battle of the Alamo was already underway, and on March 6 the delegates received a letter (dated March 3) from Col. William Barret Travis which stated: “Let the Convention go on and make a declaration of independence, and we will then understand, and the world will understand, what we are fighting for. If independence is not declared, I shall lay down my arms, and so will the men under my command.”
You can look at a timeline of Texas history, including the events that led to the Convention, here.
Guidebook from the past
There’s something about reviewing history that develops our understanding of current events, and provides guidance, and cautions, for the future. We know it from our retrospective musings – what events in our past brought us to our current stations, or shaped our passions and beliefs?
Texas forefathers shed a great deal of blood to get to where we are today, years before becoming part of the United States of America. The independent streak still runs strong through the Lone Star state.
Celebrate wherever you are!
If you’re one of the lucky ones with time on your hands today, here’s a handy guide of things to do to honor Texas and those who fought for our independence, as well as revel in all things Texas – from chicken fried steak, to learning more about Texas history from the Bob Bullock Museum. For those who enjoy traveling around the state, we also recommend reviewing the Texas Independence Trail.
And you don’t need to live in Texas to enjoy events: Texans represent Texas all around the U.S. (and the world), so just click on the links below to find out how you can celebrate the Spirit of Texas.
Where to celebrate Texas Independence Day:
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