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Mexico's Independence Day is celebrated on September 16, marking the start of a long war with the 1810 "Cry of Dolores" speech by Father Miguel Hidalgo. The celebrations actually begin the night before, with a reenactment of the cry by the President of Mexico on the evening of September 15. The country's fight for independence lasted for 11 years, ending in 1821, long after the initial cry that is commemorated annually. -
Catholicism was the state religion, and the Church was supported by the state. The president and vice president were elected for four-year terms by legislative bodies of the states. The president's power was limited. Congress had two houses, which met every year from January 1 through April 15. -
Haden and Benjamin Edwards declare the Republic of Fredonia (Nacogdoches) independent. Quickly squashed when Mexican soldiers planned to enter Nacogdoches. -
General Manuel Mier y Teran does a popluation report on Texas and finds that Anglos outnumber Mexicans 10 to 1. Will result in the Law of April 6, 1830 -
AS a result of the Mier y Teran report, this law was passed. It stated:
-to stop all immigration from the US to Texas
-slaves could no longer be brought to Texas
-that taxes would be placed on all imported goods from the US -
Mexican Colonel, John Davis, Bradburn, began enforcing immigration laws that outlawed slaves to be brought into Texas. He confiscated slaves belonging to William Logan. Logan brought his lawyers (which included William B. Travis), and they were arrested. This resulted in a group drafting the Turtle Bayou Resolutions, claiming loyalty only to the Constitution of 1824 -
Stephen F, Austin travels to Mexico City to deliver the resolutions written at San Felipe. Due to much political unrest, he does not get to see someone in charge for quite some time. Austin gets tired of waiting and sends word back to Texas to go ahead and prepare the independent state government. Santa Anna's men intercept the letter, and SFA is arrested. -
Texas Representatives meet from across Texas to discuss the situation. They vote against declaring independence from Mexico. -
Mexico marches on Gonzalez in order to retrieve a cannon given to them by the government to protect from Indian attacks. Led by JH Moore, the Texans refuse and say "Come and Take It." They fire on the Mexicans. Mexico retreats and the Texans win the first official battle of the Revolution. This encourages Texas, as it proves they have a chance against Mexico. -
Santa Anna marches his army on San Antonio and surrounds it with less than 200 Texans locked inside, led by William B. Travis and James Bowie. They attack the Alamo for 13 days with cannon fire until the early morning hours of March 6. The Texans are defeated within 90 minutes, but not before less than 200 men were able to kill 1/3 of Santa Anna's army. -
William B. Travis sends Juan Seguin as a courier to deliver a letter calling for help at the Alamo, but vows to never surrender. This letter will become one of the most famous written documents in American History. -
Representatives meet at Washington-on-the-Brazos, once again, to decide on independence. They vote to write a Declaration of Independence to the Mexican government. The document was written by George C. Childress and was modeled very closely after the US Declaration. -
Colonel JAmes Fannin marches 300 soldiers toward the Alamo, but is intercepted by Mexican General Urrea at Coleto Creek. Fannin and his men are surrounded in an open field and forced to surrender. -
After Fannin surrenders at Coleto Creek, he and his men are marched back to La Bahia Mission in Goliad. Santa Anna orders all of the men to be executed, rather than held as prisoners of war. The bodies of the soldiers (just like at the Alamo) were piled and burned, rather than burial, as was traditional. -
Sam Houston and his men trap Santa Anna's army, while resting, near San Jacinto. The Texans swarmed Santa Anna's army and managed to defeat them in 18 minutes. This is still the shortest battle in history. -
After the defeat of Santa Anna at San Jacinto, Santa Anna is forced to sign the treaty, which would officially recognize Texas' independence and declare the Rio Grande as the southern border of Texas.