The Fight for Independence: The Texas Revolution

Everyone remembers the Battle of the Alamo, the famous but failed attempt by Texans to hold their line of defense in our fight for independence. But what about the Fredonian Rebellion, the Grass Fight, the siege of Bexar, the Goliad Massacre, and the Runaway Scrape?

Pictured: A Texas Revolution era Texian fighter during a reenactment

Credit: Texas Historical Commission

From Tejas To Texas

By the end of the battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, the final confrontation that terminated Mexico's power over Texas immigrants and settlers (Anglo and Hispanic alike), a litany of skirmishes, negotiations, conventions, executions, and instrumental detonations had occurred on our way to becoming a Republic.

Texas history provides a wellspring of valor, tragedy, and victory within its full-bodied narrative but perhaps our greatest drama of all resides in the Texas Revolution-our aggressive move away from perceived tyranny towards freedom.

Today, we can trace the tracks of the Revolution within the three-acre compound of Presidio La Bahia in Goliad and the nearby Fannin Battleground, within the walls of Independence Hall in Washington-on-the-Brazos, inside the Gonzales Memorial Museum, and behind the wooden doors of the most recognized fortress of all-the Alamo in San Antonio.

Today Texans celebrate the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2nd - Texas Independence Day. The document was signed on this day in 1836 by 59 delegates, which officially declared independence from Mexico and created the Republic of Texas.

The Alamo at night

Credit: How Big Is Texas?

Start Your Revolution Journey

Do you want to retrace the steps of the Texians as they fought for independence from Mexico? We've made it as easy as possible for you. Check out the resources below and start your revolution journey today!

Mobile Tour: Go mobile with the Texas: Forged in Revolution mobile tour, featuring a rich blend of images, videos, first-person interviews, maps, and useful visitor information for exploring historical sites across Texas.

Watch the Texas: Forged of Revolution video series on the Texas Historical Commission's YouTube Channel to learn more about the history of Texas Independence.