How to Celebrate San Jacinto Day in Texas
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Texas is known for its rich and vibrant history, which is why we are passionate about preserving the state's cultural traditions. And San Jacinto Day is one of them. Every year on April 21st, San Jacinto Day celebrates a major victory in Texas' fight for independence from Mexico. There are a number of ways you can honor this historic Texas celebration, from visiting the battleground to watching a pageantry complete with reenactments and speeches.
Visit the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site
On April 21st, join the Texas Historical Commission and the City of Houston in their celebration of the 186th anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto. Visit the historic San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site and enjoy family-friendly activities, including historical reenactments, delicious food, and plenty of interactive fun. Bring your camera to catch great action shots of the Texan troops as they “remember Goliad” and attack the napping Mexican army. For more information about the event, check out their website.
Watch a Reenactment at the San Jacinto Museum of History
On Saturday, April 23 from 10 am to 5 pm, the grounds of the San Jacinto Museum of History will buzz with the energy of a momentous battle reenactment. Dressed in authentic period clothing and wielding original muskets and cannons, Civil War reenactors from all over the country will pitch camp and take up positions on the battlefield. This event will bring to life the heroic defense, dramatic displays of weaponry, and victorious march of the army. Start your day with a “bang” and come along to the museum with family and friends! Take a look at the schedule to find out more about their four reenactments and start making your plans!
Experience the Daily Routine of Soldiers from 200 Years Ago
Step back in time to 1836 and see life through the eyes of a Texan soldier. How did soldiers and civilians spend their days in Texas before the final battle of the Texas Revolution? Take a closer look at the culture of the time and learn about what life was like for folk during the Texas Revolution. Take part in hands-on activities and demonstrations such as fire-starting and leather working at the San Jacinto Museum of History in Deer Park, Texas.
Watch a Digital History Broadcast of San Jacinto Day
In 2020, due to COVID-19, San Jacinto Day was celebrated in a special online event called San Jacinto Day: Texas Remembers - A Digital History Broadcast. Today, this video continues to provide Texans with a wonderful opportunity to learn a little bit about the history of their state. The hour-long video is available on YouTube and features experts who throw light on the history of sites such as San Felipe de Austin, The Alamo, Casa Navarro, and the San Jacinto battleground. This is the chance to hear unique stories from lead educators about these places and learn about the events leading up to the Battle of San Jacinto – all from the comfort of your living room couch!
That’s a wrap on San Jacinto Day, a day of state pride for Texans. And with that, we’d like to leave you with a fun fact. Did you know that the Battle of San Jacinto lasted for only 18 minutes? Let us know in the comments if you have any interesting history trivia that you’d like to share!
