This week will be a little different with half days on Tuesday and Wednesday, due to Valentine’s Day and a teacher workday, but we will continue to recognize all the great early Texans who gave us  our independence from Mexico.

Here are our vocabulary terms for the week:

Battle of Gonzales-the first battle of the Texas Revolution.

Siege-surrounding a city with an army to capture it.

William B. Travis-Commander of Texan forces at the Alamo.  Was killed defending the Alamo against the Mexican forces.

“Victory or Death”-William Travis’ letter to Texans and the world during the siege of the Alamo.  Travis refused to surrender to Santa Anna, and asked for reinforcements to help them fight.  No reinforcements came.

Massacre at Goliad-Santa After the battle of Coleto Creek, Anna’s forces executed around 425 Texian prisoners who had surrendered.

Texas Declaration of Independence-In 1836, 60 Texians signed the formal declaration of independence from Mexico. It was based on Thomas Jefferson’s writings and said that Mexico had failed to “Protect the lives, liberty, and property of the people”.

Battle of San Jacinto-Fought on April 21, 1836.  The final battle of the Texas revolution.  Sam Houston’s Texas army defeated Mexican general Santa Anna’s forces in just 18 minutes.

“Remember the Alamo, Remember Goliad”-the battle cry of Texan forces at the Battle of San Jacinto.