The Daughters of the Republic of Texas promotes the celebration of Texas Honor Days. The Welcome W. Chandler Chapter invites you to fly the Texas flag on these days!
Texas Independence and Flag Day (March 2, 1836)
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 which 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 draw more help 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.
Alamo Heroes Day (March 6, 1836)
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. When you hear the cry “Remember the Alamo,” this is the day that prompted that cry. The newly renovated Long Barrack Museum is the site where the bloodiest hand-to-hand fighting occurred. The names of those 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.
Goliad Heroes Day (March 27, 1836)
Following the fall of the Alamo, the Mexican Army, under the command of General Santa Anna, attacked Colonel James W. Fannin’s men at Goliad. Colonel Fannin was forced to surrender. He and his men were promised fair treatment and parole, but General Santa Anna ordered that all of the men should be shot. On March 27, 1836, 320 Texan 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.