Texas is gearing up to mark the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, with Texans and visitors celebrating throughout the state.
While the Fourth of July may belong to Philadelphia on paper, Texas played a role in America’s revolution long before it was a state. Learn about the intertwined history at the Alamo in San Antonio through immersive activities on July 4.
Too far from the historical site? The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has the rest of the state covered — from bison at Caprock Canyons to atlatl-throwing at Inks Lake to a sunset watercolor session on the Galveston coast — all to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial.
Fourth of July at the Alamo in San Antonio
While the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, is best known for the 1836 battle, according to the site’s preservation trust, it also played a role in the American Revolution.
While Texas was under Spanish rule, Spain led cattle drives from Texas into Louisiana to help provide food for the revolutionaries. Some of the cattle came from Mission San Antonio de Valero — now known as the Alamo.
To celebrate the nation’s birthday, the Alamo will have its Living History team in period attire, offering free, family-friendly activities, including a patriotic flag project, a children’s drill-and-march lesson and a battle drum program. Additionally, the site’s daily musket firing demonstration will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Plaza de Valero.
The Alamo will be open during its regular hours of 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on July 4 with its daily offerings of guided tours, audio tours and self-guided experiences
For more information, visit thealamo.org.
Celebrate the Fourth in Texas’ state parks
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will host several events around the state to celebrate America’s birthday for history buffs, historians and nature lovers.
Here is a look at some of the events.
For the history buffs
For the hands-on historians
For the nature nurturers
For patriotic parkers
More events can be found on tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/america-250.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Texas marks America 250 with Alamo, state park July 4th celebrations
Reporting by Mateo Rosiles, USA TODAY NETWORK / Corpus Christi Caller Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mateo Rosiles, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
