The New Student's Reference Work/Alamo, The

Alamo , The, a fort near San Antonio, Texas. Here 188 Texans bravely resisted 2,500 Mexicans from February 11 to March 5, 1836, and nearly all perished rather than surrender. When the fort was taken by the Mexicans, who lost 1,600 men, only five Texans were alive. These were ordered to be shot. Here were killed David Crockett and Col. James Bowie, from whom the bowie knife was named. Because of this heroic defense Alamo is called the "Thermopylæ of America." "Remember the Alamo!" became the cry of the Texans in their struggle for independence.