Texans celebrate the Battle of San Jacinto

BAYTOWN, Texas (KTRK) -- Today marks the 185th anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto.

It was on this day in 1836 when Sam Houston and the Texas army defeated the Mexican army in a surprise attack. Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was captured.

In exchange for Santa Anna's freedom, he later recognized Texas' independence in the Treaties of Velasco.

One hundred years later, construction began on the San Jacinto monument, the world's tallest masonry column at 567.31 feet tall at the Houston Ship Channel in Harris County.

The monument was dedicated on April 21, 1939, in honor of the battle.

You can read more about the historic battle and monument at sanjacinto-museum-org.