Alamo Cenotaph facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Cenotaph
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Alamo Cenotaph in 2013
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 Alamo Cenotaph
Location in Texas
Alamo Cenotaph
Location in the United States
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| Location | Alamo Plaza at E. Houston St., San Antonio, Texas |
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| Built | 1936 |
| Architect | Adams & Adams |
| Sculptor | Pompeo Coppini |
| Architectural style | Cenotaph |
| Part of | Alamo Plaza Historic District (ID77001425) |
| Designated CP | July 13, 1977 |
The Alamo Cenotaph, also known as The Spirit of Sacrifice, is a special monument in San Antonio, Texas, United States. It was built to remember the brave people who fought in the Battle of the Alamo. This important battle happened right next to where the monument stands, at the Alamo Mission. The Cenotaph was put up 100 years after the battle. It lists the names of those known to have fought on the Texas side.
History of the Alamo Cenotaph
Even though there were plans for Alamo monuments before, the Alamo Cenotaph was the first one built in San Antonio. An earlier monument in Austin was lost in a fire.
In 1936, Texas celebrated its 100th birthday. The state gave $100,000 to build this monument. A local artist named Pompeo Coppini was chosen to create it. San Antonio's mayor, Maury Maverick, held a special ceremony on November 11, 1940, to dedicate the monument.
The monument is very tall, rising sixty feet (about 18 meters) from its base. The base itself is forty feet (about 12 meters) long and twelve feet (about 3.6 meters) wide. It is made from gray Georgia marble and pink Texas granite. The monument is called The Spirit of Sacrifice. It shows images of the Alamo leaders and lists 187 names of known Alamo defenders. These names came from a historian named Amelia Williams. Later studies have shown that some names on the monument might not have been there. Also, new research has found even more people who fought at the Alamo.
Inscription on the Monument
The words carved on the Cenotaph say:
Erected in memory of the heroes who sacrificed their lives at the Alamo, March 6, 1836, in the defense of Texas. They chose never to surrender nor retreat; these brave hearts, with flag still proudly waving, perished in the flames of immortality that their high sacrifice might lead to the founding of this Texas.
The Battle of the Alamo
In the spring of 1836, General Santa Anna led a Mexican army into Texas. He wanted to stop the Texian rebellion. Texian leader Sam Houston believed San Antonio could not be defended. He told the Texian forces to leave the city.
However, a group of volunteers decided to stay and fight. They were led by William Barrett Travis and James Bowie. Famous people like Davy Crockett and his group from Tennessee were also there. Juan Seguin's company of Hispanic Texan volunteers joined them too. They made the deserted Alamo mission stronger and prepared to defend San Antonio.
The defenders of the Alamo included both Anglo and Hispanic Texans. They fought together under a special flag. It was the flag of Mexico with the numbers "1824" on it. This showed they were fighting for their rights under Mexico's 1824 constitution. It was only during the siege that the Texas Congress declared Texas an independent republic.
The Battle of the Alamo lasted from February 23 to March 6, 1836. At first, it was mostly a siege. This meant there were artillery fights and small battles. After twelve days, Santa Anna grew tired of waiting. He wanted a quick victory to boost his fame. So, he decided to attack the Alamo directly.
Before sunrise on March 6, Santa Anna sent his troops to attack the Alamo walls. They attacked in three different places. The third attack broke through the weak north wall. The defenders went back to the Long Barracks and the Chapel. They fought until every man was gone. Most historians agree that a few defenders were captured. But they were executed as rebels by Santa Anna's specific orders. The deaths of these "Martyrs to Texas Independence" made people even more determined to fight Santa Anna. The cry "Remember the Alamo" became a rallying call for the entire Texas Revolution.
See also
In Spanish: Cenotafio de El Álamo para niños
