April 21 — 1836 — Battle of San Jacinto

Added: 2026-05-05

[00:00:00]Texas did not win its independence in a long war of attrition. It won it in 18 violent minutes.

[00:00:10]April 21st, 1836.

[00:00:13]After weeks of retreat, fear, and collapse, Sam Houston struck back at San Jacinto. In the afternoon, while Santa Anna's camp was vulnerable, the Texian army launched a sudden attack and shattered the Mexican lines in about 18 minutes. What followed was chaos, slaughter, and the capture of Santa Anna himself. The Alamo had fallen. Goliad had bled. But at San Jacinto, the war turned in one explosive burst. And in those minutes, Texas forced its way into history.