Don’t mess with Texas
March 2, 2023
186 years, 11 months, and 26 days ago, Texas formally declared its independence from Mexico.
The declaration that gave independence to Texans resulted from a long-standing conflict between the Mexican government and American settlers in Texas who fought for greater autonomy and representation in Mexico’s government.
“The declaration was signed in Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas, after a group of Texan delegates gathered there to draft a constitution for the new republic,” Schiumo said.
The Texas Revolution was a pivotal point for Texas and eventually led to Texas joining the United States in 1845.
“The importance of Texas Independence Day lies in its role in the history of Texas and the United States,” U.S history teacher Kenneth Schiumo said. “The Texas Revolution and the subsequent establishment of the Republic of Texas marked a turning point in the history of the region and eventually led to Texas joining the United States as a state in 1845.”
Texas Independence Day is unique to Texas residents, according to sophomore Max Dowd.
“Texas Independence Day is important because it is a unique day for Texans that marks when we became an independent country, the only United States state to be its own country,” Dowd said.
While Texas Independence Day is primarily celebrated by Texans, junior Rida Zaki believes that it is important for all Americans to understand the day’s significance in American history.
“Without the Texas Revolution, Texas would have never become its own country which means that it would have never joined America,” Zaki said. “So even though we celebrate Texas’s independence, I think it’s important for all Americans to understand the history behind the annexation of Texas because it is an important part of America’s history.”
In order to help students learn about Texas’s history, Schiumo believes that teachers can assign readings and projects to encourage learning.
“To help students understand the holiday, teachers can assign readings and research projects to encourage students to delve deeper into the history of Texas and its fight for independence,” Schiumo said. “Furthermore, teachers can incorporate Texas Independence Day into broader discussions of American history, emphasizing its role in shaping the country’s political and cultural landscape.”