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Semicentennial of Texas Independence celebrated
On this day in 1886, the Semicentennial of Texas Independence
celebrations began. Scattered meetings included orations at Brenham, a
ball in Fort Worth, and a small gathering of Galveston County veterans.
The major events occurred on April 21--San Jacinto Day--in most Texas
towns. Parades, picnics, and speeches were typical. Waco and Belton used
the occasion to break ground for new college buildings. Militia drills
and athletic contests were frequent attractions. The Texas Veterans
Association met in Dallas for the most important single celebration of
the semicentennial. More than 200 old soldiers received an elaborate
welcome, which added musical presentations to the other forms of
entertainment. Semicentennial speakers drew several comparisons between
the Texas Revolution and the American Revolution, such as the relation
of both to the growth of liberty and stable government. Sam Houston,
Stephen F. Austin, and others were compared to the Founding Fathers. The
emphasis remained, however, on honoring the living veterans.
- Links to Related Handbook of Texas Online Articles
- SEMICENTENNIAL OF TEXAS INDEPENDENCE
- TEXAS VETERANS ASSOCIATION
- TEXAS REVOLUTION
- Other Texas Day by Day Articles for This Date
- Texas declares independence from Mexico (1836)
- Fifth Military district created by the First Reconstruction Act (1867)
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