San Jacinto Monument and Museum is a Houston landmark

Deep in the heart of Texas history lies the Battle of San Jacinto. The San Jacinto Monument and Museum is part of the San Jacinto Battleground State historical complex maintained by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Every year San Jacinto Day is celebrated on April 21st, to commemorate the date of the San Jacinto Battle that sealed Texas Independence on April 21, 1836. The battle is reenacted and draws a good-sized crowd.

Texans take their state history seriously, maybe more so than any other state. Every spring Texans swarm the historical monuments to remember not only the Alamo but to celebrate the independent spirit that permeates Texas and inspires Texans. Native Texans easily deliver their generational status and, despite the huge influx of folks from other states and countries, it's not impossible to find 5th and 6th generation-Texans.

The San Jacinto Monument rises 570 feet and continues to be a beacon to Texans and a lure to Houstonians who are intrigued by the big state's fight for independence. The battleground park is about an hour's drive from downtown Houston. It's an easy drive and makes for a fun trip. You can pack a lunch or take advantage of the food area with picnic tables. Roam the battleground, visit the museum, wander below the monument by the reflection pool. But whatever you do, make sure you save time to clamber all over the battleship. It's cool. The site is also a National Historic Landmark.

I remember driving out to the state park during my teen years and enjoying the area long before the fancy museum and the addition of the Battleship Texas to the historical mix. Even then it was a great place for a day trip, a picnic, and a visit to the past.

• Image Credit: By Tijuana Brass at en.wikipedia [Public domain], from Wikimedia Commons

On April 21, 1836, Texas won its independence when an outnumbered Texas Army defeated Mexican forces on the plains of San Jacinto. The monument built in remembrance of the battle stands on the flat Texas wetlands along the Houston ship channel. It is one of the most recognizable symbols of the history of Texas, a soaring monument to commemorate a small battle with huge consequences. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/fi...

Students of war, pioneer life, and early Texas history will find plenty

Where is the San Jacinto Museum? It's in the base of the monument. Its' full of antiques and art but the real feel of history and place come when you see the mementos and personal items that were held, touched, and used by those who were on the battlefield. These artifacts speak volumes to the museum's visitors.

Is that all there is? No. The focus is not just on that one day and its historical impact but on a wide swath of time going back to the Spanish Conquest. There are books, papers, utensils, firearms, swords and mementos. Plenty to look at. A lot to learn and experience.

• Image Credit: By Officers unknown [Public domain, FAL or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

A :90 second promotional clip from a documentary about the people who keep history alive by re-enacting the battle that won Texas independence on April 21, 1836.

Part 1 of 3 parts of the complete documentary about the people who keep history alive by re-enacting the battle that won Texas independence on April 21, 1836.

In Part Two, visitors learn what life was like in 1836 Texas and about the historical circumstances that started the war for Texas Independence. We also see the "Runaway Scrape," a skirmish the afternoon before the Battle of San Jacinto. Santa Anna explains his reasons for going to war with the Texians

Part Three begins on the morning of April 21, 1836 as Gen. Sam Houston sends scouts to reconnoiter the enemy's strength. We see the reenactment of the Battle of San Jacinto and the capture and ultimate surrender of Santa Anna, resulting in Texas Independence.