The Alamo marks 190 years since William Barret Travis penned his legendary “Victory or Death” letter with a live public reading.
SAN ANTONIO — Nearly 190 years after Colonel William Barret Travis made his desperate plea for reinforcements, his powerful words are being brought back to life at the Alamo.
On Tuesday morning, the Alamo will host a live recreation and public reading of the historic “Victory or Death” letter, written on February 24, 1836, during the Siege of the Alamo.
The letter, addressed “To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World,” was Travis’ urgent call for aid as Mexican forces surrounded the Alamo. He closed the message with the now-famous words “Victory or Death,” underlined three times, a declaration that would become one of the most iconic phrases in Texas history.
Organizers say the event is both a tribute and a celebration, marking 190 years to the day since the letter was written, just days before the Battle of the Alamo.
The original document has only returned to Alamo grounds twice since leaving Travis’ hands in 1836. It is expected to return permanently once the Alamo’s future Visitor Center and Museum is completed in 2027.
The public reading will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Alamo, located at 300 Alamo Plaza.
For history lovers and proud Texans alike, it’s a rare chance to hear the words that helped shape the Lone Star legacy, right where they were written.