Many Texans don’t even know that 173 years ago today the Texas Declaration of Independence was adopted.  These first Texans proudly proclaimed their independence from Mexico, whose government welcomed settlers to the lands of what is now the state of Texas only to renege on the promise of a republican government. 

While the Constitutional Convention was taking place at Washington-on-the-Brazos, the Texan Army was in the midst of the Battle of the Alamo, which was ultimately lost.  The war was already five months old, and it wasn’t looking too good.  That is, until the Army, led by General Sam Houston, famously defeated General Santa Anna during the Mexican Army’s afternoon siesta on April 21, 1836.  That was the Battle of San Jacinto, and I grew up practically in the monument’s shadow.

Honor the Texas Flag. I pledge allegiance to thee: Texas, one and indivisible.

Speaking of the flag, I went to the local Wal-Mart today to find a small Texas flag for my two-year-old, who already has several American flags (or Amer fwag, as she calls it — we’re working on her L pronunciation).  There was nothing to indicate it was Texas Independence day.  The customer service rep. pointed me to the souvenir section to find one to no avail.  They only had one Texas flag for sale in the whole store — a large one for displaying on a pole.  That was it. 

The store had Mardi Gras decorations (still), St. Patrick’s day decorations, and tons of Easter stuff.  And I bet it will be decked out for Cinco de Mayo, which is hardly even celebrated in Mexico.  But the U.S. goes all out.  It’s akin to Mexico celebrating Patriot’s Day nationwide.  Maybe if we called today Dos de Marzo it would get some attention. 

On second thought, probably not. Mexicans are still upset over the loss of the territory, so I’m sure the lack of celebration is the P.C. way of not opening old wounds and offending our Hispanic population.