The Battle of the Alamo took place between Texans and Mexicans from February 23 to March 6, 1836, during the Texas Revolution. Led by President General Santa Anna, a force of about 1800 Mexican troops marched across the Rio Grande, targeting the Alamo garrison. The Texans were led by Lieutenant Colonel William Travis and the frontiersman James Bowie. The Texas army had only an estimated 187 soldiers, but they managed to defend the fort for 13 days.

At the dawn of March 6, the Mexican troops laid out a major attack. The Texans held off the first few attacks but were eventually overpowered due to insufficient troop numbers. The Mexican soldiers managed to climb up the fort’s walls. After the 13-day siege and a fierce fight, the Alamo was captured and all the remaining Texas soldiers killed, including a former Tennessee congressman David Crockett.

While the entire Texas army was wiped out, the Mexican army had about 600 casualties. Some of the spared Texans were sent over to Commander Sam Houston’s camp in Gonzalez by General Santa Anna to warn him about the fate of other Texans if the rebellion did not stop.

This battle was a pivotal event in the Texas struggle for independence. On April 21, 1836, volunteers inspired by the cry of “Remember the Alamo” under the command of Sam Houston defeated General Santa Anna in the Battle of San Jacinto. This victory ultimately secured Texas its independence from Mexico.