Alamo

The famous Alamo was originally named Missión San Antonio de Valero, established in 1718. It was the first of five Spanish missions founded in San Antonio to Christianize and educate resident Indians.

In 1793 Spanish officials secularized San Antonio's five missions and distributed their lands to the remaining Indian residents. In the early 1800s, the Spanish military stationed a cavalry unit at the former mission. The soldiers referred to the old mission as the Alamo (the Spanish word for "cottonwood") in honor of their hometown Alamo de Parras, Coahuila. The Alamo played a critical role in the Texas Revolution. Rebelling against repressions of Mexico's self-proclaimed dictator, Santa Anna, a band of 189 Texas volunteers defied a Mexican army of thousands for 13 days of siege from Feb. 23 to Mar. 6.

The final assault came before daybreak on the morning of March 6, 1836. The Alamo defenders died to the last man, among them such names as William Travis, Davy Crockett, and Jim Bowie.

While the facts surrounding the siege continue to be debated, there is no doubt about what the battle has come to symbolize. People worldwide continue to remember the Alamo as a heroic struggle against overwhelming odds — a place where men made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. For this reason the Alamo remains hallowed ground and the Shrine of Texas Liberty.

	Enter your search terms
	Web YOUR DOMAIN NAME Submit search form