From: laro@idworld.net   
      
   "Kye Ohtie"  wrote in message   
   news:402a3616@news.zianet.com...   
   > In article <4028dd4c@news.zianet.com>, howl@dontemailme.com says...   
   > >   
   > >In article <78idnXy1vfSW6rXdRVn-vw@idworld.net>, laro@idworld.net says...   
   > >   
   > >Thanks Gerald. Always enjoy being set   
   > >right by you.   
   >   
   > I've acknowledged my error in a private   
   > email exchange with GTT. I had just finished   
   > typing a reply to Gerald and for some reason   
   > my aging brain said "GTT = Gerald Tit of Tat"   
   > or some such equation.   
   >   
   > In any event, to set the record straight   
   > here - Thanks DAVID for all the input on   
   > colonial Texas under Spain. Of course I   
   > was forgetting that Spain still claimed   
   > Texas after 9/16/1810, and the eleven years   
   > before final independence was a significant   
   > and VERY complex one, to the casual reader.   
   >   
   > It's something that has always confused   
   > me - that date now celebrated as Diez y Séis (dieciséis).   
   > It is NOT the date of the Declaration of   
   > Independence from Spain, as one might think.   
   > And I have to do the same "stop and think"   
   > when it comes to remembering why Mexicans   
   > celebrate Cinco de Mayo.   
   >   
   > 9/16/1810 - Father Hidalgo reads his "Grito" in public.   
   > 5/5/1862  - The Battle Of Puebla puts end to French claims.   
   >   
   > I have to remember NEITHER date has anything to do with   
   > the actual date that independence became reality.   
   > Our Mexican neighbors have their own unique system(s).   
   >   
      
   One final touch of irony in that latter story is that the leader of those   
   heroic Mexican forces, victorious at the Battle of Puebla, was born in   
   Goliad Texas.   
      
   His name was Zaragosa, I believe it was Ignacio Zaragosa, but I work from   
   memory when I probably shouldn't.  (anyone who wants to know, check the   
   Handbook Online.)   Goliad still celebrates him as a very popular native   
   son, they send a delegation to Mexico every year to take part in that   
   national celebration.   Kinda like our 4th of July, it's their biggie!   
      
   The "birthplace" is now a historic site, owned and protected by the state of   
   Texas, but is actually located on the piece of land just south of the San   
   Antonio River where the old fort (presidio) is located.  There, the Green   
   Flag forces held off the besieging Spanish forces in 1813, there Fannin's   
   men marched from on their fateful try at getting to Bejar in 1836, near   
   there they were massacred by the specific order of that great humanitarian,   
   Generalissimo Santa Anna!   
      
   That "massacre" was after the Mexican commander of troops there elected not   
   to shoot them,  was sent on orders to another post, and the young and I   
   believe inexperienced Mexican officer did as he was ordered, he shot all he   
   could, but some got away.  (there are current stories and a local   
   controversy still in play about that "massacre" event, but since we've   
   discussed probably too much Texas history on a Old West Ng, I'll desist!)   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)