San Jacinto Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
Texas legislative records establish the 1836 historical anchor, the 1874 state-holiday action and current Government Code §662.003(b).
About San Jacinto Day
San Jacinto Day is a Texas state holiday observed on April 21. The date is tied to the Battle of San Jacinto, fought on April 21, 1836.
Texas legislative records distinguish that historical event from the holiday’s later legal lifecycle: the 14th Legislature acted in 1874, and current Texas Government Code §662.003(b) continues to list April 21 as San Jacinto Day.
Why San Jacinto Day matters
The day is a state historical commemoration connected with a major event in the Texas Revolution and the development of Texas institutions.
Historical commemoration does not require agreement with modern political positions. A careful guide can describe the battle, its consequences, and the later holiday law while recognizing that historical events can be studied from multiple perspectives.
History of San Jacinto Day
The Battle of San Jacinto took place on April 21, 1836.
Texas House historical material records that on March 2, 1874, the 14th Legislature passed HJR 19, known as Joint Resolution 7, making April 21 an official state holiday alongside March 2.
The Texas Legislative Reference Library notes that San Jacinto Day also appeared in the 1879 Revised Civil Statutes.
Current Texas Government Code §662.003(b) continues to include April 21 as San Jacinto Day.
These steps are kept separate: 1836 is the historical event, while 1874 and later codification form the legal holiday lifecycle.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
14th Texas Legislature
HJR 19 / Joint Resolution 7 (1874)
San Jacinto Day was carried into the 1879 revised statutory framework.
State of Texas · Revised Civil Statutes of the State of Texas
Current Texas law continues to list April 21 as San Jacinto Day.
State of Texas · Texas Government Code §662.003(b)
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
5 fields not established in reviewed sources
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
Also known as
Battle of San Jacinto
How to Observe San Jacinto Day
Visit or study a museum, archive, battlefield resource, or primary-source collection connected with the Texas Revolution.
Compare the 1836 historical event with the later 1874 legislative action that created the state-holiday status.
Read accounts from more than one historical perspective and distinguish documented facts from later interpretation.
Use official Texas legislative resources when checking the current holiday status.
Keep commemorative discussion historical and civic rather than using the observance as a prompt for present-day partisan persuasion.
San Jacinto Day Facts
San Jacinto Day is observed on April 21 in Texas.
The Battle of San Jacinto occurred on April 21, 1836.
Texas legislative history records an 1874 resolution making April 21 an official state holiday.
The Texas Legislative Reference Library also traces the holiday into the 1879 Revised Civil Statutes.
Current Texas Government Code §662.003(b) lists San Jacinto Day.
San Jacinto Day Messages
On San Jacinto Day, explore the April 21, 1836 historical record and the later Texas holiday tradition with care and context.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
- Remembrance Civic Context Care.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Texas House Journal — 21 April 2023 historical chronology (opens in a new tab)
State Legislative History
Texas Legislative Reference Library — Holidays and recognition days (opens in a new tab)
State Legislative Holiday Registry
Texas State Library — Official Texas State Holidays (opens in a new tab)
State Government
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is San Jacinto Day?
21 April The documented recurrence rule is: 21 April.
Does San Jacinto Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is San Jacinto Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Texas state holiday / recognition day. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes San Jacinto Day?
The reviewed sources identify 14th Texas Legislature as the proclaiming or establishing body.
Is San Jacinto Day international or country-specific?
No single country is assigned to this observance. Its documented scope is: Texas state holiday / recognition day. Use that scope rather than assuming worldwide or country-specific status.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-22.
When is San Jacinto Day?
It is observed on April 21 in Texas.
Why April 21?
April 21 is the anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto, fought in 1836.
Was the holiday legally created in 1836?
No. The battle occurred in 1836; Texas legislative history records the state-holiday step in 1874.
Is San Jacinto Day still listed in Texas law?
Yes. The Texas Legislative Reference Library identifies current Government Code §662.003(b) as the legal listing.
Does observing the day require a present political position?
No. It can be approached as a historical and civic commemoration using documented sources and multiple historical perspectives.
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