Historical anniversaries

This blog has been on hiatus for quite a while, but I don't want the year to close without noting a couple of important anniversaries which have been commemorated in 2011:

175 years since the conclusion of colonial Texas' rebellion against Mexico (1835-36), including the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence, the tragic Alamo siege and the Goliad massacre, and the victorious Battle of San Jacinto. That series of events transpired only sixty years following the American Declaration of Independence and resulted in nearly a decade of independence for the Republic of Texas, which is yet a source of pride today. (The Texas Capitol building is actually taller than the U.S. Capitol, and the State has the right to fly its "lone star" flag at the same height as the "stars and stripes.")

150 years since the start of the Civil War (1861-65), which in the 19th century was known by other names such as the War Between the States, the War of Secession, the War of Northern Aggression, or the War for Southern Independence. For the first time, this year I was able to view Ken Burns' multi-part documentary film "The Civil War" in its entirety. It's hard to comprehend the massive effect this conflict, and its aftermath, had on our country.

2012 will mark the beginning of the bicentennial for the War of 1812 (1812-15).