Hundreds Battle to Secure Texas Independence

Thunderous cannon and musket fire will once again resound across the San Jacinto Battleground beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2003, to kick off ceremonies commemorating the 167th anniversary of the 18-minute battle on April 21, 1836 that completely changd the destiny of Texas and the shape of the United States.

At 1:00 p.m. there will be a ceremony at the Battleship Texas celebrating the 55th anniversary of the docking of the battleship at San Jacinto and honoring all who served on the ship. County Judge Robert Eckels will give the keynote address. Yours of the battleship will be offered throughout the day.

At 3:00 p.m., more than 400 history buffs will don period costumes to portray the decisive victory of the Texians under the leadership of General Sam Houston over the Mexican forces under General Santa Anna. Before the afternoon reenactment of the battle itself, visitors are transported back to 1836 by wandering through the Texian, Mexican and Runaway Scrape encampments where reenactors demonstrate what life was like at the time of the birth of the Republic of Texas.

Admission to the San Jacinto and Battleship Texas ceremonies and the battle reenactment is free. For more information on the San Jacinto ceremonies and reenactment call 281/479-2421 or visit www.sanjacinto-museum.org. For more information on the Battleship Texas call 281/479-2431 or visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us.