The Texas Revolution (1835–36) began when colonists in the Mexican province of Texas rebelled after President Santa Anna overturned the Mexican constitution, dismissing state legislatures and militias and centralizing the government. He stepped down from the presidency to lead Mexican troops in quashing the revolt. Sam Houston was named commander of the Texian Army and sent Jim Bowie to destroy the Alamo to keep it out of Mexican hands. Bowie and William B. Travis chose instead to lead the Alamo defenders in what became the most famous battle of Texas history. Three weeks later, the Mexican army executed 400 Texians at the Goliad massacre, then marched east as terrified civilians fled. The Texian army moved in the same direction, giving the impression that they were running away. Under a false sense of complacency, Santa Anna was asleep and his army was on stand-down on April 21, 1836, when shouts of "Remember the Alamo!" and "Remember Goliad!" pierced the air as Texians overran them, winning the decisive Battle of San Jacinto in 18 minutes (monument pictured). Santa Anna fled on horseback but was captured the next day; the Texians traded him for the full retreat of the Mexican army and the cessation of hostilities. Intermittent conflicts between the two countries continued until 1844, when Texas was willingly annexed into the United States, which in turn caused the Mexican–American War.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Revolution

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1644:

Ming general Wu Sangui let the invading Manchus pass through the Great Wall of China, allowing them to capture Beijing, leading to the foundation of the Qing dynasty. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Wall_of_China

1810:

The Primera Junta, the first independent government in Argentina, was established in an open cabildo in Buenos Aires, marking the end of the May Revolution. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_Revolution

1878:

Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera H.M.S. Pinafore opened at the Opera Comique in London. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H.M.S._Pinafore

1979:

Six-year-old Etan Patz disappeared on his way to school in New York City, and later became the first missing child to have his picture featured on milk cartons. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearance_of_Etan_Patz

2013:

Naxalite insurgents of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) attacked a convoy of Indian National Congress leaders in the state of Chhattisgarh, causing at least 27 deaths. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_Naxal_attack_in_Darbha_valley

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

masterly inactivity: (politics) A policy of deliberate inactivity. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/masterly_inactivity

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

I've always believed in numbers. In the equations and logics that lead to reason. But after a lifetime of such pursuits, I ask, what truly is logic? Who decides reason? My quest has taken me through the physical, the metaphysical, the delusional, and back — and I have made the most important discovery of my career — the most important discovery of my life: It is only in the mysterious equations of love that any logic or reasons can be found. as portrayed in   --A Beautiful Mind https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/A_Beautiful_Mind_(film)