Remember The Alamo!

A few years ago, I wrote a paper comparing the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 B.C. to the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. There are several similarities that are too glaring to ignore:

1. In both instances, the defenders faced insurmountable odds. Outclassed, outgunned, and outnumbered, in both battles, the defenders held their ground and fought to the last man, while inflicting serious losses to the attacker. Leonidas, king and general of Sparta's three hundred hoplites who defended the pass at Thermopylae, faced hundreds of thousands of Persians. The defenders of the Alamo were outnumbered 12-1 at the start of the battle.

2. Both were tactical military defeats, but were instrumental in raising support for their respective larger war efforts. In the case of Leonidas, the entire Persian army was decimated at the Battle of Platea, effectively ending Xerxes campaign to conquer Greece. In the case of the Alamo, Sam Houston was able to rally the Texian Army and tire the pursuing Mexican Army during the Runaway Scrape. At the most opportune moment, Houston quickly turned his army 180 degrees and executed a lightning-fast strike on the Mexicans, effectively ending the Texas Revolution in a battle that lasted only eighteen minutes.

3. Despite their losses, the defenders in both instances (and their efforts) became legendary. Leonidas for his famous "MOLON LABE!" taunt to the Persians, and Travis for his famous letter "To The People Of Texas And All Americans In The World" vowing "Victory or Death!"

So, on the 176 year anniversary of this monumental event in Texas history, lets remember the brave Texian Rebels. They, like the 300 Spartans, sacrificed their lives against insurmountable odds to serve the cause of Liberty, at the Battle of the Alamo.

REMEMBER THE ALAMO!

Mentioned in this post:

Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae

The Alamo (Widescreen Edition)

Eighteen Minutes: The Battle of San Jacinto and the Texas Independence Campaign