History
The Battle of the Alamo in 1836 became the defining event of the Texas Revolution
The 13-day siege at the Alamo in February and March 1836, where roughly 200 Texian defenders faced the Mexican Army under Santa Anna, became a rallying symbol for Texas independence.
The Battle of the Alamo took place February 23 through March 6, 1836. It happened at a former Spanish mission in San Antonio de Béxar. A Texian and Tejano force of about 200 defenders held the mission. Their commanders were James Bowie and William Barret Travis. Frontiersman Davy Crockett was also among the defenders. They refused to surrender. After a 13-day siege, Mexican forces under General Santa Anna broke through the walls on March 6 and killed the defenders.
Santa Anna ordered no prisoners taken. He also had those who tried to surrender executed. This outraged Texians and Tejanos across the region. 'Remember the Alamo' became the battle cry at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. There, the Texian Army defeated Santa Anna's forces and won Texas independence.
The Alamo mission building still stands in downtown San Antonio. It is managed by the Texas General Land Office and the Alamo Trust. Tejano soldiers under Juan Seguín also played a key role in the siege and the wider war for independence. For a sourced historical overview, see the Texas State Historical Association's entry at tshaonline.org.
Source to confirm: TSHA Handbook – Battle of the Alamo