LA PORTE, TX (AP) -
Texas celebrates its 175th anniversary this week of the clash with Mexico that allowed the state to become its own nation.
As significant battles go, the size of the armies involved in the battle at San Jacinto in 1836 was relatively modest. More compelling was the meager duration of the fighting. It took just 18 minutes.
But in true Texas fashion, the monument that marks the short battle just east of Houston is 536 feet tall - the world's tallest war memorial.
To some historians, the April 21 battle between the 900-man Texian army and the more formally trained 1,300-man Mexican army is a metaphor for the Lone Star State.
Larry Spasic, president of the San Jacinto Museum of History Association, says Texans "make something big out of something small."
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2012 WorldNow and KCBD, a Raycom Media Station. 