San Jacinto Day Marks Decisive Texas Revolution Battle Securing Independence From Mexico

AUSTIN, TX — It may have slipped your mind, fellow Texans, but today is a holiday of sorts. Don't go rushing to get a card, as neither Hallmark nor American Greetings makes them, but the day commemorates a watershed moment in state history.

Today is San Jacinto Day, the anniversary of those brave individuals who fought for Texas independence. On this day in 1836, the final battle of the Texas Revolution occurred, securing Texas independence from Mexico.

It's not a full-fledged holiday, but what's termed a "partial staffing holiday" in the state of Texas. State offices aren't closed on this date, although an array of ceremonies take place throughout Texas in observance. No greater an observance occurs than in Harris County—the site of the decisive battle—where the Sabine Volunteers from East Texas stage an elaborate reenactment of the events from 181 years ago.

Those reenacting the battle take their name from an actual militia group during the Texas Revolution. The four-man troupe is pretty famous, having appeared on the History Channel. Separately, there's a documentary titled "The Re-Enactors of San Jacinto" that was directed by Emmy Award winner Allen Morris, released in 2010 and broadcast on the Houston PBS channel.

As for the actual battle, it only took 18 minutes. The largely volunteer force led by Sam Houston was able to make quick work of the Mexican forces, vanquishing them with ease after prolonged and bloody preceding battles.

By that time in the fight (the San Jacinto battle occurred in the wake of the Battle of the Alamo two months prior that same year, a siege with decidedly different results in the fight toward state independence) the revolutionary army was able to overwhelm the Mexican forces, yielding 630 dead Mexican soldiers and another 730 taken prisoner.

The leader of the Mexican forces, Gen. Santa Anna, was taken prisoner the following morning. Together with interim President David G. Burnet, Santa Anna agreed to the Treaty of Velasco—effectively ending the Texas Revolution.

Those wanting to learn more about how "eighteen minutes changed the world" can download a free eBook from the Texas State Historical Association. But you better hurry, as it is only available for a limited time in honor of San Jacinto Day.

The TSHA's eBook is the seventh and final of its "Road to the Texas Revolution" series. To download the San Jacinto eBook, click here.

>>> Image: Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, artistic interpretation depicts the Battle of San Jacinto as envisioned by San Antonio artist H.A. McArdle in 1901. This is a detail of a larger mural painted in the Texas Capitol.