On April 21, 1836, Texan forces under General Sam Houston launched a surprise attack against Mexican troops near the San Jacinto River. Beginning at 4:30 pm, the assault lasted only 18 minutes but proved devastating. General Houston’s 900 soldiers overwhelmed General Santa Anna’s 1,400 soldiers, who were caught unprepared during their afternoon rest. The Texans’ battle cries, “Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!” referenced recent Mexican victories that had killed nearly all Texan defenders at those locations. By day’s end, most Mexican troops were killed, wounded, or captured, while Texan casualties numbered fewer than 40.

The Battle of San Jacinto, a pivotal moment in the Texas Revolution, was a six-month conflict between Mexican and Texan forces. This prolonged struggle was sparked when General Santa Anna abolished Mexico’s existing federalist constitution. Following the Texan defeats at the Alamo (March 6) and Goliad (March 27), General Houston moved eastward to build recruits as Santa Anna split his military troops. This tactical error left the Mexican leader vulnerable. The victory at San Jacinto, a turning point in history, reversed earlier losses and secured Texan independence through the captured Santa Anna’s forced signing of the Treaties of Velasco, though Mexico later rejected these agreements.

General Santa Anna was captured the day after the battle, disguised as a common soldier. Under duress, he ordered the remaining Mexican troops to withdraw from Texas territory. The newly declared Republic of Texas would remain an independent nation for nine years before U.S. annexation in 1845. This annexation directly contributed to the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), as Mexico never recognized Texas’s independence.

The battle site, now the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, features a 567-foot monument, the world’s tallest war memorial. Texas celebrates San Jacinto Day annually, honoring the battle that:

• Established Texas as a sovereign nation
• Demonstrated the effectiveness of surprise tactics
• Created lasting cultural identity markers for Texans
• The victory’s legacy persists in Texas’ distinct political culture and emphasis on independence.