Battlefields across the United States are forever hallowed ground, where blood was shed in pursuit of competing visions for the future. With each conflict, the people, the reasons, and the backdrops change. But the results - so many lives lost, the shifting balance of power - are the same.

Today we reveal how the Battle of the Alamo and the Battle of Gettysburg were true turning points in their respective conflicts, how the written word impacted what came next, and how both battle sites are handling the modern-day struggles of growth. Featuring the Alamo's Senior Researcher & Historian Kolby Lanham and The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast's Jim Hessler.

Read Jim Hessler's biography: https://www.battlefields.org/contributors/james-hessler
Listen to The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast: https://thebattleofgettysburgpodcast.com/
National Park Service's Gettysburg website: https://www.nps.gov/gett/index.htm
The Battle of Gettysburg Podcast's interview with the Alamo's Kolby Lanham: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07WniAYFPoI

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 26: Bella The Alamo Cat

The Alamo is a world-famous battle site and a community gathering space. It’s also home to Bella The Alamo Cat. She’s the latest in a line of Alamo Cats who patrol the complex, defending the Alamo from pesky rodents and greeting visitors.

Today we reveal the lighter side of working at the Alamo to show you how this furry feline became the animal ambassador for history lovers around the world. Featuring the Alamo's Senior Curator, Historian & Lecturer Ernesto Rodriguez and the Alamo's former Senior Director of Interpretation, Volunteers & Living History Sherri Driscoll.

Read Bella's biography: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/whats-at-the-alamo/bella-the-alamo-cat
Follow Bella on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellathealamocat/
Follow Bella on X: https://twitter.com/bellaalamocat
Buy Bella's Fiesta medal: https://tickets.thealamo.org/events/b0ebed41-724c-da50-42fc-6c155332a8d0
Buy Bella merchandise from Alamo Gift Shop: https://store.thealamo.org/featured-gifts/bella-the-alamo-cat

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 25: After The Battle

It's March 1836, after the Battle of the Alamo. The Alamo has fallen. Its Defenders, all dead. Just a few survivors remain to share the story. And as the news slowly spreads, the Texas Revolution carries on.

Today we reveal the panic that ensued as ordinary citizens heard what happened at the Alamo, the devastating loss Texas suffered in Goliad, and why the frontlines of battle moved eastward. Featuring the Alamo's Researcher Thomas Ledesma.

More on the life of Susanna Dickinson: https://officialalamo.medium.com/stories-of-texas-women-susanna-dickinson-3806d48603e9
More on the Battle of Refugio: https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/refugio-battle-of

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 24: The Battle Of The Alamo

The Battle of the Alamo: the 13-day siege, the urgent calls for reinforcements, and the defiant pledge of “Victory or Death” all come down to this - a cold, dark morning, with the Alamo garrison on the brink of attack.

Exactly 188 years since the Battle, we reveal how the Mexican Army overtook the compound, the personal stories of the Defenders and survivors, the critical information sadly lost to history, and why, from the ashes of defeat, we will always Remember The Alamo. Featuring the Alamo's former Curator Dr. Bruce Winders.

Read more about the Battle of the Alamo: https://www.thealamo.org/remember/battle-and-revolution
Profiles of Alamo Defenders: https://www.thealamo.org/remember/battle-and-revolution/defenders#sortByName
See the Travis Letter at the Alamo through March 24, 2024: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/return-of-the-travis-letter

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 23: The Siege Of The Alamo

The Siege of the Alamo: Santa Anna and his troops have arrived in San Antonio, with plans to take back the town and end the Texas Revolution, once and for all. But at the Alamo, William Barret Travis has a small band of soldiers and volunteers defending the key stronghold.

Today we reveal what happened in between the barrage of cannon fire, who answered Travis’ calls for help, and how the Alamo became hopelessly outnumbered as its Defenders faced down the reality of war - when Victory or Death become all that’s left.  Featuring the Alamo's Senior Researcher & Historian Kolby Lanham.

The Alamo's Commemoration Events: https://www.thealamo.org/remember/commemoration
See the Travis Letter at the Alamo: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/return-of-the-travis-letter

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 22: Before The Siege

February 1836, before the Siege of the Alamo. History tells us what’s coming next. But for the people living through these events, information is painstakingly slow, arriving only by letter.

Today we reveal the written words that have survived, the repeated, grave concerns that battle will soon break out in San Antonio, why cries for help were never answered, and the startling realization that soldiers are staring down death. Featuring the Alamo's Senior Curator, Historian & Lecturer Ernesto Rodriguez.

Attend the Alamo's Commemoration events: https://www.thealamo.org/remember/commemoration
See the Travis Letter at the Alamo: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/return-of-the-travis-letter

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 21: Commemoration 2024

We are fast approaching 188 years since the Siege and Battle of the Alamo, pivotal points in the Texas Revolution that are now forever etched in history.

 Today we reveal how we continue to Remember The Alamo through a series of Commemoration events meant to honor the fallen heroes of the Alamo and teach new generations about what took place all those years ago. Featuring the Alamo's Director of Living History & Public Programs Angela Wolfgram, the Alamo's Director of Events & Membership Leah Thornton, and Friends of the Alamo member Forrest Byas.

The Alamo's Commemoration events calendar: https://www.thealamo.org/remember/commemoration
Plan your visit to see the Travis Letter: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/return-of-the-travis-letter
Volunteer at the Alamo: https://www.thealamo.org/support/volunteer-at-the-alamo
Join Friends of the Alamo: https://www.thealamo.org/membership

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 20: The Travis Letter

"Victory or Death" - the only outcomes a Battle of the Alamo could possibly have. History remembers these stirring words, written by William Barret Travis, with the Alamo garrison surrounded and the Texan Army, outnumbered.

 Now, for just the second time since it left Travis’ hands, the letter will soon be back at the Alamo - the very place it was written. The Travis Letter, on loan from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, will be on display inside the Alamo Exhibit at the Ralston Family Collections Center from February 23, 2024, through March 24, 2024.

In this special episode, we’ll reveal its journey from its home archive in Austin, how you can be among the first to see it, and why the Travis Letter holds such a special place in Texans’ hearts. Featuring the Alamo's Senior Curator, Historian, & Lecturer Ernesto Rodriguez and the Alamo's Collections Manager Misty Lanham.

Plan your visit to see the Travis Letter: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/return-of-the-travis-letter
Join February 22, 2024 Friends of the Alamo sneak preview: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/travis-letter-sneak-preview
Read more about the Travis Letter and see high-resolution photos: https://www.thealamo.org/remember/battle-and-revolution/travis-letter
Download the Alamo Education Team's letter-writing activity: https://www.thealamo.org/fileadmin/assets/educator/educators_pdfs/travis_letter_activity.pdf

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 19: Black History Month

February marks Black History Month, and we are devoting this episode to the contributions of African Americans to the Alamo’s history. 

Today we reveal the real stories behind these figures, who so often are shrouded in myth or forgotten by history. We’ll also tackle the tough truths behind their presence at the Alamo and explore how Alamo grounds have become a central backdrop in the local fight for civil rights. Featuring the Alamo's Senior Curator, Historian & Lecturer Ernesto Rodriguez and Dr. Charles Gentry, a Historic Preservation Specialist with the City of San Antonio and a Lecturer in the African American Studies Program at The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Joe's account of the Battle of the Alamo: https://www.thealamo.org/remember/battle-and-revolution/joes-account
Statues of Emily Morgan & Hendrick Arnold: https://www.thealamo.org/visit/whats-at-the-alamo/statues-of-heroes
Dr. Carey Latimore's research on civil rights in San Antonio: https://www.thealamo.org/fileadmin/assets/support/research_and_studies/civil-rights-in-sa-wwii-to-1960s.pdf
Kolby Lanham's research on press coverage of lunch counter integration: https://www.thealamo.org/fileadmin/assets/support/research_and_studies/alamo-1960-lunch-counter-photography-report.pdf

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Stories Bigger Than Texas: The Alamo Podcast
Episode 18: Phil Collins & The Alamo

A British rock star became one of the largest collectors of Alamo artifacts in the world.

In honor of Phil Collins and his upcoming birthday on January 30th, today we reveal how he became so fascinated by the Alamo, take you behind the scenes of his many visits to the Shrine of Texas Liberty, and the legacy this British music legend leaves upon the Alamo City. Featuring the Alamo's Senior Curator, Historian & Lecturer Ernesto Rodriguez and excerpts from Phil Collins' 2014 speech at the Alamo.

Watch full Phil Collins speech and press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-bxIodC8IM&t=1023s
Buy Phil Collins' book from the Alamo Gift Shop: https://store.thealamo.org/the-alamo-and-beyond-a-collector-s-journey

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