The Mexican artillery goes into action at the annual Battle of San Jacinto Festival and Battle Reenactment, a living-history retelling and demonstration of the historic Battle of San Jacinto. This was the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. Led by General Sam Houston, the Texian Army engaged and defeated General Antonio López de Santa Anna's Mexican army in a fight that lasted just 18 minutes. Santa Anna, the President of Mexico, was captured the following day and held as a prisoner of war. Three weeks later, he signed the peace treaty that dictated that the Mexican army leave the region, paving the way for the Republic of Texas to become an independent country. Original image from Carol M. Highsmith’s America, Library of Congress collection.