How to Remember the Alamo

In 1836, about 200 men died in the Battle of the Alamo after fighting an army of over 4,000 soldiers led by Mexican dictator General Antonio López de Santa Anna. This 13-day battle was Santa Anna's attempt to tighten his grip on the then-Mexican state of Texas and its independent settlers, and help ensure Texas would remain part of Mexico. The Battle of the Alamo gave Colonel Sam Houston time to put together an army just six weeks later made up of 783 Texans. These brave men pursued and defeated 1,500 Mexican soldiers while uttering the battle cry "Remember the Alamo!"

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Texas was a land of rugged, independent and spirited settlers--Indians, Mexicans on land grants from Mexico, Europeans, and Americans with families and children. They were being mistreated and dictated to about how to live their lives. Texas was to Mexico and Santa Anna as the Thirteen Colonies had been to England and King George.
2. The Battle of the Alamo was a defining event in U.S. history. At the very least, it made other Americans realize they needed to protect settlers in Texas from similar attacks as well as protect the precious freedoms of all citizens. In the big picture, the battle had a tremendous domino effect. It not only assisted the Texans who defeated the Mexican Army at San Jacinto, but also laid the foundation for Texas' admission to the Union. That activity then led to a war between Mexico and the U.S., which Mexico lost. Afterwards that nation was forced (by a treaty) to give the U.S. the area which became the 38th state of Texas, and parts of Wyoming, Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas and New Mexico.
3. Visit the original and reconstructed Alamo situated on Alamo Plaza in downtown San Antonio, Texas, to see exhibits about the battle, the Texas Revolution and Texas history in general. The Alamo is a 4.2-acre complex comprised of the Shrine, the Long Barrack Museum, and the Gift Museum as well as the lovely Alamo Gardens. The Alamo is a block away from the city's famous River Walk.
4. Admission is free to the Alamo. It's open every day (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. The complex stays open later--until 7 p.m.--on Fridays and Saturdays during June, July and August.
5. See leather clothes, rifles, furniture, cots, beads, letters and documents at the Alamo. These items belonged to the people who lived, fought and died for the freedoms of their families, neighbors and the Republic of Texas.
6. View signatures from famous people such as Davy Crockett, James Bowie and Colonel William Travis. Together with other brave men from every state in the U.S. and many other countries, they fought to the death for the right to live as a free people with rights, choices and opportunities.
7. Watch movies made about the Battle of the Alamo and the history of these Mexican, American, European and Indian freedom fighters. Today, this battle is recognized globally as a symbol of extreme courage shown by heroes struggling against oppression.
8. Support the work of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas--who alone have managed this historic site since 1905--so people will continue to be encouraged to remember the Alamo. This organization seeks volunteers and contributions year-round to help them preserve the former mission as a sacred memorial to the heroes of the famous battle of 1836.

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