Texas
Independence Day
Celebrated at Bistro
Le Cep on Monday, March 2nd, 2010
On March 2nd, 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico
and became the
Republic of Texas
Texas
is not only the largest of the 48 contiguous United States,
but it is also the home of people of many races and cultures.
From a few prehistoric hunters and several Indian tribes the
immigrants to Texas have changed the face of history. Spanish
and Mexicans arriving from the West and Southwest, Anglo Americans
emigrating from the Northeast, and new Europeans landing on
Texas Coasts traveling the Gulf of Mexico, arrived in Texas
where there was plenty of land to settle. The influence and
diversity of the immigrants is very visible in our daily way
of life, in language, music, food, and opportunities. Some churches
still conduct their services in Czech, German, Swedish, or Spanish
because the family language of many people remains an outward
sign of their pride in their heritage.
Our 463 years of recorded history had humble beginnings. In
1541, Francisco Vázques de Coronado, in search of gold
and silver, was the first European to travel the great plains
of Texas. He claimed the area for Spain, but hostile Indians
made new settlements undesirable. The explorations by the seafarers,
Robert Cavelier and Sieur de La Salle, and a Colony at Matagorda
Bay were the claims of France in east Texas. In 1714, Juchereau
de Saint Denis established a fur trade, which started a political
struggle for power between Spain and the departure of France.
By 1730, the Spanish Crown had send more than 30 expeditions
into Texas, and established a military post and several missions
in San Antonio.
In 1821, Mexico became independent from Spain and Stephen F.
Austin secured a land grant of 200,000 acres from the Mexican
government to establish several settlements for Anglo-Americans
on the Gulf Coast. Unrest in Mexico resulted in a coupe by Lopez
de Santa Anna in 1835, and he became the new President. Many
of the Texas settlers had long-standing grievances with Mexico,
and had a desire for self-government and declared Texas a Republic.
Forty-four delegates of the Convention of 1836 traveled on March
1st to the small Village of Washington on the Brazos, and on
March 2nd wasted no time in declaring its independence from
Mexico. The constitution was drafted during the invasion of
a mighty Mexican army on Texas soil. The siege of the Alamo
lasted from February 23 to March 6 with a final assault and
the defeat of its 187 defenders. On April 21, Sam Houston and
his militia led a surprise attack on the Mexican troops at San
Jacinto, capturing Santa Anna and securing victory and freedom
for Texas. In honor of our brave forefathers, we at the Bistro
Le Cep would like to invite you to attend our Texas
Independence Day Dinner to celebrate this special event. Please
join us on Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010 at 7:00 PM.
We will feature a delicious five-course dinner showcasing Texas
cultures, accompanied by selected wines from Messina Hof, plus
musical entertainment.
Messina Hof Winery
and Resort, www.messinahof.com,
established in 1977, is founded on family values, romance and
traditions. From its initial production and humble beginnings
in 1983, Messina Hof has led the establishment of the Texas
Wine Industry and is the fastest growing, most awarded winery
in the state. More than 50 types of wine are produced at Messina
Hof Winery, located in Bryan, Texas. Sharing the Estate with
the winery are the Vintage House Restaurant and the Villa, voted
“most romantic hideaway in the USA.” Messina Hof
boasts 3 Texas Wine awards from the Houston Livestock Show and
Rodeo’s International Wine Competition, and is recognized
for the first time in the 2006 Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia,
which says,”Messina Hof can stand shoulder to shoulder
with many West Coast wines in terms of quality. “Owners,
Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo are proud to be celebrating 33 years
of wine making and 32 years of friendship with Joe Mannke at
Bistro Le Cep, in 2010 we hope that you will join us for outstanding
cuisine, Award Winning Wines on this historically significant
day.”
Paul Bonarrigo
