The History of the Alamo
In the beginning the Alamo served as home to missionaries (and their Indian converts) for almost 70 years - it was
called Mission San Antonio de Valero. They began building the present site in 1724.
The Spanish military stationed a calvary unit at the former mission in the early 1800's. The old mission was referred to by the soldiers as the Alamo (which means "cottonwood" in Spanish). The Alamo was home to both Revolutionaries and Royalists during Mexico's ten-year struggle for independence. It continued to be occupied by the military until the Texas Revolution.
San Antonio and the Alamo played a critical role in the Texas Revolution! In December, 1835, after Ben Milam led his troups against the Mexican troops quartered in the city, the victorious volunteers then occupied the Alamo and strengthened its defenses.
On February 23, 1836, an attack by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna's army caught them by surprise. The defenders held out for 13 days against the Santa Anna's army. Couriers were desperately sent out by William B. Travis, the commander of the Alamo, with pleas for help to communities in the Texas area. On the eighth day of the battle, 32 volunteers from Gonzales arrived, bringing the number of defenders to almost 200. The Alamo was key to the defense of Texas! Legend has it that Colonel Travis drew a line on the ground and asked any man willing to stay
and fight to step over it...all except one stepped over! They were ready to give their lives rather than surrender their position to General Santa Anna. Among the brave staying behind to fight were David Crockett and Jim Bowie.
On the morning of March 6, 1836, the final assault came. Columns of Mexican soldiers emerged from the predawn darkness and headed for the walls of the Alamo. Cannon and small arms fire from inside the Alamo beat back several attacks. Then, the Mexicans started scaling the walls and rushed into the compound. The defenders were finally overtaken. By sunrise, the battle had ended. Santa Anna entered the compound to survey the scene of his victory.
This battle has come to symbolize a heroic struggle against impossible odds - a place where men made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. For this reason, the Alamo remains hallowed ground and the Shrine of Texas Liberty.