| San Antonio is a great city with many cultures and a proud heritage. A city made up of many cultures brought here by the 5 military installations as well as the native Latino culture, San Antonio offers many selections of restaurants, museums and entertainment. San Antonio was christened by Franciscan Father Damian Massanet on June 13, 1691; for the Indian village site and the river. Father Massanet christened the name for the Feast Day of Saint Anthony of Padova, Italy (who is still entombed in a MAGNIFICENT Basilica built for him in Padova). Founded as a military garrison in 1718 by the Viceroy of Spain, San Antonio was called t Valero,established the same year, became known later as the he "Presidio de Bejar." Its accompanying mission, San Antonio de Alamo. San Antonio figured prominently in Mexico's struggle for independence from Spain. Colonization brought a wave of Anglo-American immigration from 1821 to 1836. But gradually, resentment against Mexican rule grew into armed revolt. In 1836, Santa Anna, president and dictator of Mexico, marchedon San Antonio and defeated a small band of Texans at the battle of the Alamo on March 6. However Santa Anna was defeated the following month at San Jacinto, and San Antonio then came under the rule of the newly formed Republic of Texas until its annexation to the United States in 1845. |