In Texas, March 2nd is an official holiday – Texas Independence Day. Good ol’ Texans spend the day roaming the street parades, basking in the festivities, and gobbling up big chunks of meat (Texas style). But before you go celebrating, here’s what you need to know:
What is Texas Independence Day?
On March 2nd, 1836, fifty-four delegates representing the various settlements in Texas, met in a one-room building at Washington-on-the-Brazos, located between present-day Houston and Austin, and unanimously voted to separate Texas from the government of Mexico.
The declaration claimed the Mexican government had ceased to protect the “lives, liberty and property of the people, from whom its legitimate powers are derived.”
From that day forward, Texas declared its independence from Mexico and became the Republic of Texas. Life was never the same again. For ten years, from 1836 to 1846, Texas existed precariously as a separate and unique nation.
The Texans also adopted a constitution that protected the free practice of slavery, which had been prohibited by Mexican law.
After separating from Mexico, Texas wanted to be a part of the United States, but both Mexico and antislavery forces in the United States opposed its admission into the Union. So for nearly a decade, Texas existed as an independent republic, and Houston was Texas’ first elected president. In 1845, Texas joined the Union as the 28th state, leading to the outbreak of the Mexican-American War.
And on that note, it’s time to end the history lesson and settle down with a drink. But first, check out these funny memes to get the party started.