Since I lived in San Antonio most of my life, I greatly miss Fiesta week, at the end of each April.
Celebrating Texas Independence, secured at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, San Antonians also remember those who died at the Alamo on March 6, 1836 and at Goliad on March 27 of the same year.
Look to it, you Texans of today, with happy homes, mid fields of smiling plenty, that the blood of the Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto sealed forever…Texas, one and indivisible! -written by Kate Scurry Terrell
Because the Battle of San Jacinto was won 179 years ago, San Antonians celebrate for 10 days of Fiesta every year with unique events!
Now that I’m in Northern Virginia and missing Fiesta, I am celebrating in my own way by recounting the many unique events.
VIRGINIA-TEXAS CONNECTIONS
Combining my love of Texas and Virginia history, I find it intriguing that at least sixteen of the Alamo defenders came from Virginia.
Interestingly, a few of them were obviously named after famous Virginians: John William Smith, George Washington Main, and Patrick Henry Herndon.
Also, General Sam Houston, victor at the Battle of San Jacinto, was born in Virginia!
In fact, his bust resides in the state house of Virginia while a statue adorns the main entry of the Texas Capitol.
Interestingly, all Sam Houston ever did in Virginia was live out his youth here, which showcases how proud Virginia must be of it’s freedom-loving protogee of Texas!
In 2007, my kids and I attended one of the many Fiesta events, Pilgrimage to the Alamo, before attending the Texas Cavalier’s River Parade.
It was an emotional ceremony…quiet…respectful.
CERTAIN DEATH
We had time to pause and reflect on the valient heroes (185-260) who gave their lives at the Alamo while vastly outnumbered (1800-6000).
When Santa Anna and his troops arrived, a flag of “no quarter” was mounted atop the nearby San Fernando Cathedral, meaning that no hostages would be taken.
All. would. be. killed.
PILGRIMAGE TO THE ALAMO MEMORIAL
Founded in 1905, the Alamo Mission Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas was formed to defend and proclaim the history of Texas.
For Fiesta, they organized the Pilgrimage to the Alamo in 1918, to substitute for the traditional Battle of Flowers Parade during WWI.
Marching solemnly to the Alamo from the Vietnam War Memorial (six blocks away), respectful organizations laid floral tributes at the Alamo.
It has since become a yearly tradition, with the return of the Battle of Flowers Parade (on Friday of Fiesta Week).
We solemnly watched members of various civic groups gather from afar and nearby to respectfully lay wreaths at the Alamo, then take their seats in the crowd.
Below, Fiesta’s El Rey Feo (in white), next to one of the Fiesta queens.
From inside the crumbled walls of the Alamo, a voice booms the name of each of the defenders…one by one…which is concluded with the poignant playing of Taps.
