Ms. Ramirez: Yesterday we talked about the Alamo, where the Texan defenders were defeated in early March of 1836. Today, let's look at what happened next.

Ms. Ramirez: On March 2, 1836, while the Alamo was still under attack, Texas leaders met at Washington-on-the-Brazos and signed a declaration of independence from Mexico. But declaring independence and winning it are two very different things.

Ms. Ramirez: For the next several weeks, General Sam Houston's army moved east, away from the Mexican army led by Santa Anna. Many settlers fled east, too, leaving their homes behind. Then, on April 21, 1836, Houston's army attacked Santa Anna's camp near the San Jacinto River in the afternoon, catching the Mexican soldiers by surprise. The battle lasted only about eighteen minutes. Santa Anna was captured the next day, and Texas won its independence.