Texas Independence Day

Today is Texas Independence Day. Surprised? It has gone by with hardly a mention. This is the 175th anniversary of that event. Twenty-five years ago, the sesquicentennial was so pervasive, Texaco gave away glasses commemorating the event. And, of course, at the centennial seventy-five years ago, it was a major party with national and international recognition. Will it be any different twenty-five years from now? Not if one judges by recent anniversaries. The bicentennial of Lincoln's birth saw hardly a mention. Same for the Reagan centennial last month. I believe the turning point came some time between 1987 and 1992, when the country went from the schmaltzy Constitution bicentennial to the semi millennium day of mourning over Columbus. Fear not!, O anniversary deprived, I am sure Charleston, South Carolina has something cooked up for April 12th.