The Texas War of Independence began in October of 1835. After the Mexican War of Independence, the government was practically bankrupt and encouraged that people create their own militias to protect themselves against Native American attacks. At this same time, immigration policies for Texas were also left wide open, and many U.S. citizens jumped on board.
On this day December 9, in 1835, San Antonio is captured by the soon to be Republic of Texas. Texans had become upset with the dictator-like behavior of Mexico’s president, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. The Siege of Bexar was one of the earliest battles, ultimately with the Texans pushing the Mexican army out of San Antonio.
San Antonio is now the second largest city in Texas, after Houston. European settlers came to San Antonio beginning in the late 17th century. It now has a population of 1.3 million in its city proper, and 2.4 million in its metropolitan area. San Antonio has 89,000 employees involved with the defense industry, which accounts for over an estimated $5.25 billion of the state’s GDP.