Texas Independence Day

Today marks the 176th anniversary of our great Lone Star State's independence from Mexico. It was March 2, 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos when 59 delegates signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. One of 12 copies of that declaration is under the posession of Southern Methodist University's DeGolyer Library. You can view it and browse 5,000 photos from moments in Texas history from 1846 to 1945 in their online exhibition.

In San Antonio they're bringing out the big guns -- literally -- to celebrate Texas Independence Day. The big gun on display at the Alamo is a replica of the 18-pound cannon that William Barret Travis used to answer Santa Ana's demand for surrender.

Antique armorer Eugene Robinson's restored replica was used in the 2004 making of the movie The Alamo, and modeled after the largest cannon used during the real Battle. It will be on display all weekend as part of the Texas Independent Day celebration, as well as the 176th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo.

That said, if your Texas Independence Day is more about beef and beer, go to Holy Grail Pub anytime this weekend for special beer deals. On Sunday, they'll have bacon-injected smoked brisket, beer-can chicken, house-made hot dogs, dry-rubbed St. Louis pork ribs, and smoked prime rib. We hope you're not vegetarian.

You can also celebrate all things Texas with an evening of down-home country music with lots of cool guitars, tappin' boots, shiny bolo's, worn spurs, stetson hats, harmonicas, fiddles, & banjo's! :)


Brandon Rhyder is playing at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth and a local lineup of Somebody's Darling, J Charles & the Trainrobbers, Dead Flowers, and Goodnight Ned playing Club Dada in Dallas. There's also the $200 ticketed event on the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge featuring Lyle Lovett and His Large Band that will give you a Texas-sized dose of country tunes.

As usual, Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q in Frisco, Allen, and Arlington are offering brisket by the quarter-pound for 32 cents each. The special runs 2-4 p.m. on March 2, one order per person. The stores are raising money for the Texas Wildfire Relief Fund, so come on out and be supportive!

Now, on Sunday -- two days after Texas Independence Day -- the new ABC show GCB (based on the book Good Christian Bitches by Dallas author Kim Gatlin) premieres at 9 p.m. They'll talk like Texans, ya'll, and we felt we should mention it. It'll make all of your out-of-state relatives hate us just a little bit more, but who cares when you've got that big hair and cowboy hat to hide under and get to see sassy girls like this runnin' 'round?



On that note, I'll cue the song that's a bit of a lesbian anthem...