A little reason to celebrate
San Jacinto Day
History · April 21
San Jacinto Day remembers the Battle of San Jacinto, the fight that effectively secured Texas independence from Mexico during the Texas Revolution.
San Jacinto Day falls on Wednesday, April 21, 2027. That is 176 days away.
The Battle of San Jacinto was the deciding fight of the Texas Revolution. Texian forces led by Sam Houston surprised the Mexican army of General Antonio López de Santa Anna near the San Jacinto River, close to where Houston, Texas, now sits. Santa Anna was captured soon after, and the defeat effectively secured independence for Texas.
The battle was short and lopsided. Texian soldiers went in shouting "Remember the Alamo" and "Remember Goliad," calling back to two painful losses earlier in the war. Those phrases are still among the best known lines in Texas history.
The battleground is now a historic site east of downtown Houston. A tall monument rises there, a slender column topped with a large star, and the open grounds around it mark where the armies met. Some people visit to walk the field and read the markers. Others take part in commemorations or reenactments held in the area.
Away from the site, the day is a state holiday in Texas, and it often shows up in classrooms and local history programs. If you have never read the story of the campaign, it helps to start with the long retreat that came before the battle. The surprise makes more sense once you know how many weeks Houston's army spent falling back.
Ways to celebrate
- Read a short account of the Battle of San Jacinto and the retreat before it.
- Visit the San Jacinto Battleground and its monument if you are near Houston.
- Look for a local history talk or museum exhibit about the Texas Revolution.
- Look up why soldiers shouted "Remember the Alamo" during the battle.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Tuesday, April 21 |
| 2027 | Wednesday, April 21 |
| 2028 | Friday, April 21 |
| 2029 | Saturday, April 21 |
| 2030 | Sunday, April 21 |
Also on April 21
- National Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day
- National Banana Day
- National Chickpea Day
- National Chocolate-Covered Cashews Day
- Administrative Professionals Day
- Big Word Day
- National Kindergarten Day
Categories: History days