The History of the Alamo Flag: On March 6, 1836, the Mexican army under General Santa Anna breached the walls of the Alamo at San Antonio, Texas, after thirteen days of continuous assaults. Jim Bowie, Davey Crockett, and William Travis were among the 187 defenders who died that morning. All were avenged six weeks later when Sam Houston, with the cry “Remember the Alamo,” defeated Santa Anna and established the independence of the Texas Republic. The Alamo flag was used from 1824 until the 1830’s.