Saturday, May 4, 2024
On March 2, 1836 — 188 years ago — Texas gained its independence from Mexico and adopted the Texas Declaration of Independence. This day is now celebrated annually across the state and serves as a day of remembrance and a day of education. In Granbury, the celebration will take place beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 2, in the jury room on the second floor of the Granbury Courthouse on the Granbury square.
The Texas Declaration of Independence was signed by 59 delegates at Washington-on-the-Brazos, often called the “birthplace of Texas.” This document focused on the rights of citizens to life and liberty but also emphasized the property of a citizen.
“This declaration was issued during a revolution against the Mexican government that began in 1835 following a series of government edicts including the dissolution of state legislatures, disarmament of state militias, and abolition of the Constitution of 1824,” according to The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.
After Texas declared its independence, 183 defenders were killed during the Battle of the Alamo, including several Mexicans who had fought for Texas’ Independence. The Republic of Texas later won its independence in October 1836 after the final battle along the San Jacinto River.
The Sons of the Republic of Texas David Crockett Chapter will host an event to celebrate the day with a presentation of the events that led to Texas’ Independence, including multiple exhibits from the Texas Revolutionary period. The exhibits will feature items from the Revolutionary Era.
The SRT David Crockett chapter works to preserve and promote Texas history. Each member of the chapter must have a direct bloodline to an ancestor who was from Texas. The chapter has six meetings a year that feature speakers such as Texas Rangers, former secret service members, authors and much more.
This is the sixth annual event, which began as a result of a brief synopsis about the revolutionary period of Texas history written by a chapter member. The first two years, the event was held outside the Hood County Courthouse before moving into Celebration Hall on the square the next two years. Hood County Judge Ron Massingill joined the group a couple of years ago and the chapter asked Massingill if the event could be held at the Granbury Courthouse. This marks the third year the courthouse has hosted the event, which will be in the jury room on the second floor.
Event attendance has grown from 60 the first year to now over 150 people. This year’s event will feature a number of flags flown in the Revolutionary Era. The chapter is partnering with the Daughters of the Republic of Texas to provide exhibit items showing women’s lifestyles during those times.
A special fiddle performance by 12-year-old Whit Procter is sure to be a highlight of the day.
“The main goal of the event is to review with people and/or teach people about Texas history during the Revolutionary period,” Philip Harris Jr., president of the SRT David Crockett Chapter said. “There’s a lot of bad things that happened, but a lot of pride came out of that. And Texans are really proud of their Texas heritage and history. We’re trying to reach out to anybody who wants to listen or come learn about our Texas history of Texas roots. We welcome anybody that wants to come.”
The Granbury Courthouse doors will open at 10 a.m. and the celebration will follow at 11 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. There will be information available for those interested in learning more about the Sons of the Republic David Crockett Chapter, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the Sons of the American Resolution and the Texas Heroes Foundation.
