Not yet an official Fiesta event, the Friday Networking Lunch still participates in Fiesta by encouraging attendees to wear their best Fiesta attire on the Friday of the Battle of Flowers Parade as a way of celebrating the brave Texans who fought and ultimately defeated the Mexican army to gain independence from Mexico in 1836.
Some historians say that the fight for independence started in 1826, when a conflict, known as the Freedonia Rebellion, arose between American and Mexican settlers. This was the first of many small rebellions which would continue for nearly a decade.
In October 1835, the new dictator of Mexico, General Santa Anna, sent Mexican troops to Gonzales in an attempt to regain control of the territory. The Mexican troops were commissioned to retrieve a cannon which had been loaned to the Texans. But, instead of returning the cannon, the Texans fired it upon the Mexican soldiers. This event became the first official battle for Texas independence.
During the weeks and months that followed there were many small battles including one in which the Texans drove the Mexican army south out of San Antonio. But, the Texan’s occupation of San Antonio would not last long.
On February 23, 1836, General Santa Anna led 3,000 soldiers in what is now the most famous battle ever to take place in Texas, the Battle of the Alamo. Against insurmountable odds, a group of 185 men from Texas and the southern United States, fought to the death and held off the Mexican army for nearly 2 weeks, until March 6 when they were finally defeated. The Mexican general ordered all of the remaining men to be executed and no prisoners to be taken. Only women and children were left alive.
The final battle for Texas independence took place just 6 weeks later, on April 21. In a surprise attack against the Mexican troops at San Jacinto, Texas General Sam Houston and his men, yelled “Remember the Alamo” as they ambushed the Mexican army. Though this engagement was brief, lasting just 18 minutes, it was the decisive battle in the war for Texas independence.
Following the Battle of San Jacinto, General Santa Anna was forced to concede and declare that Texas was now in independent nation, no longer under Mexican rule.
Just over half a century later, in 1891, Ellen Maury Slayden, wife of Texas Congressman James L. Slayden, created the Battle of Flowers Parade as a way to “Remember the Alamo” and all the brave Texans who fought for and gained independence from Mexico earlier that century.
Today, Fiesta San Antonio is an annual multi-week celebration which still includes the Battle of Flowers Parade as well as dozens of other events which have been added over the past century.
Even if you do nothing else related to Fiesta, come to Friday Networking Lunch on the Friday of the Battle of Flowers Parade as we “Remember the Alamo”.
There is no added cost to attend the Friday Networking Lunch Fiesta Friday. Annual contributions from our sponsors, help cover all event related expenses. Please visit our sponsor page to learn more about our donors, making a contribution, or joining us as an official sponsor.