April 21, 1836 - Texas forces rout the Mexicans at the Battle of San Jacinto. Following the fall of the Alamo and with Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna's army approaching, General Sam Houston (left), commanding the Texas Army, began retreating towards the US border. Turning southeast, the Texans assumed a position near the confluence of the San Jacinto River and Buffalo Bayou. Believing the Texans were trapped, Santa Anna advanced with 1,400 men and established a camp approximately 1,000 yards from Houston's 800-man army on April 19. Taking his time, the Mexican commander planned to attack and destroy Houston on the 22nd. After consulting with his officers, Houston decided to strike first and formed his men for battle on April 21. These movements were not seen by the Mexicans due to a slight swell in the ground between the armies and Santa Anna not posting sentries outside of his camp. Quietly moving forward, the Texans were able to surprise the unprepared Mexicans. Charging forward yelling "Remember Goliad!" and "Remember the Alamo!," they held their fire until they were only a few yards from the Mexican lines. Surging into Santa Anna's disorganized men, they inflicted heavy casualties and put the Mexican army to rout in only 18 minutes. The following day Santa Anna was captured as he tried to escape the area. Houston's victory was the climatic moment of the Texas Revolution and effectively secured the Republic of Texas' independence.

Photograph Courtesy of the Library of Congress