Independence Day - today

Yup, today is Independence Day -- here in Texas, that is. It's kind of odd that all other states of these United States celebrate their Statehood Day, and in many cases their Territorial Day. Indeed, a memory from early childhood concerns the festive celebration in Boise of the Idaho Territorial Centennial. More recently, during one of my sojourns in Tennessee, that state celebrated its Bicentennial -- altho' I cannot remember that Tennesseans made an annual to-do about their Statehood Day.

But in Texas just about everything is different. No big deal is made each year of the date that the Lone Star State became the 28th state (29 December). BUT 2 March in every year Texans remember that on that date in A.D. 1836 a convention of Texians and tejanos in little Washington-on-the-Brazos declared that Texas was independent of Mexico and would be a republic.

Native Texans are very proud that theirs was an independent nation, a republic for a decade BEFORE it became part of the USA. Travel-tourism publicity for this state even emphasizes "Texas, like a whole other country". Also, dear reader, be aware that the anniversary of Independence falls just four days before the anniversary of the battle and fall of The Alamo.

It's an accepted fact of history that Willam Travis and the other defenders of the old mission-turned-fortress did not know that independence had been declared. Four days wouldn't have been time for word to reach them thru the besieging Mexican army. There is some question as to what flag flew above The Alamo. Travis in his famous letter for help tells that "our flag still waves". Most historians assert that it was a red, white and green flag similar to the flag of Mexico, but with "1824" inscribed in the middle. The 1824 Constitution of Mexico, which guaranteed states' rights and other things the immigrants from the USA valued, was the Constitution that General Santa Anna revoked, once he had been elected President under it.

On the other hand, another letter of Travis' speaks openly of independence and that he will not lay down his arms until it is achieved. Unless the men in The Alamo are fighting to uphold the Mexican Constitution of 1824, in which case Travis declares that they shall lay down their arns. So, for me, exactly what nature of freedom for Texas these men were fighting remains unclear.

Also, please note, dear reader, that since I gave blood platelets again a few days ago (during the span of days covered by the siege in 1836), I again watched "The Alamo" movie. For a second viewing I greatly enjoyed it, and teared up at Travis' speech to the men that they were doomed (see my posting of 23 October). This time I did watch with a more critical eye and did notice two things I would change to improve the movie. One is that the setting for the fortress located the so-called "Long Barracks" (the convento for the friars during the mission years) almost flush with the front wall of the chapel (the most famous and most pictured portion of the complex). If one visits The Alamo today, one will see that the "Long Barracks" is noticeably further west than the chapel, and indeed there is a wall with a gateway running eastward from the nearest corner of the barracks to the chapel.

The other objection is that the scene of the Battle of San Jacinto -- "Remember the Alamo!" -- presents no indication of the role of Emily Morgan. Emily was a mulatto slave who worked as a spy for the rebelling Texians and offered her charms to Santa Anna during that afternoon's siesta -- thus keeping him unprepared to take command when the Texians charged the Mexican camp. Emily Morgan also inspired the song "The Yellow Rose of Texas"! Therefore, Emily the "Yellow Rose" should have received honorable mention of some sort in the movie.
Other than those two observations, coupled with those I made on 23 October, the movie is very, very good. I truly felt like I was there!