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Celebrating Texas Independence Day

by Mary Carole Strother
atriotic music, marching bands and the waving of Texas
flags are part of the celebrations held in March each year
Pall across the Lone Star State. Brazos State Historic Site grounds marks the very place where
March 2nd, known as Texas Independence Day, is also Sam the government of the Republic of Texas was created and proudly
Houston Day because that is the day Sam Houston, famed Texas existed in 1836 and again from 1842-1845. The picturesque
war hero, president, and governor, was born. It is also Flag Day Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site is located on the
in Texas, so March 2nd is clearly the most patriotic day of the Brazos River. The expansive park grounds along the Brazos
year to be a Texan. River provide a beautiful setting for picnicking, sightseeing and
Texas Independence Day is the celebration of the adoption of the bird-watching. The Star of the Republic Museum, Independence
Hall and Barrington Living History Farm, offer visitors a unique
Texas Declaration of Independence. insight into the lives and times of the men who fought and won
On March 1st 1836, the Alamo was under siege and delegates Texas' independence from Mexico.
from Texas counties and regions gathered in a Constitutional Another great place to visit, if you are traveling to Austin, is
Convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos. A group of five men the Bullock Museum located in heart of downtown, just blocks
were selected to help draft that important document. One of from the capitol building. The first-floor gallery features a new
those men was Collin McKinney. Late that night they hurriedly exhibit, Becoming Texas, that allows visitors to have a hands-on
began drafting the document. On March 2, 1836, the 59 delegates experience while learning about the rich history of Texas.
signed the document that officially declared independence from
Mexico and created the Republic of Texas. At the age of seventy, To learn more about Collin McKinney and the role he played in
Collin McKinney was the oldest member of the convention Texas history you can visit the Collin County History Museum
and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Despite in historic downtown McKinney. Visitors will learn about his
great personal risk, the delegates continued meeting until they role of bringing settlers to North Texas and why the City of
had drafted a constitution and established the new nation’s first McKinney and Collin County were named in his honor.
lasting government. Texans are proud of their rich heritage. If you are new to Texas
If you are interested in taking a road trip to learn more about Texas you’ll need to buy a bumper sticker that reads, “I wasn’t born in
history Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park should be top of Texas but I got here as fast as I could”. Texas is a great place to
your list. Revered as the place “Where Texas Became Texas,” call home.•
the replica of Independence Hall on the Washington-on-the-

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