Alamo marks 180 years with new events, ideas

The Alamo always had keepers.

Now the hallowed shrine of Texas independence also has a promoter.

The Texas General Land Office’s expanded role at the Alamo includes promoting events, such as the 180th anniversary re-enactment of the “ride for independence” and a showing of The Alamo.

The Alamo’s website, thealamo.org, lists events beginning Feb. 23 and covering the 13 days of the 1836 siege until the mission fell before sunrise on March 6.

The Alamo also has official Twitter and Facebook pages now under “OfficialAlamo.” And, of course, there’s a separate Twitter account for Bella, the Alamo Cat.

All this hullabaloo is meant to remind Texans and Americans of the heroic stand by Texans and Tejanos, and the lives lost before Texas won its independence April 21.

Many of the events fall Feb. 28-March 5, the week of Texas Independence Day, observed in the state’s public schools as “Texas Week.”

It’s not just for history buffs.

This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 5:27 PM with the headline "Alamo marks 180 years with new events, ideas."