This new thread in the Texas Hunting, Fishing & Shooting Forum caused me to have to check my driver's license:
For the first time, I noticed that on the back of the license there is a cannon! It is a "Gonzalez cannon" and here is the story – an AI account that sums it up nicely:
The "Come and Take It" cannon in Gonzales, Texas, is a symbol of the Texas Revolution. It was originally given to the settlers of Gonzales by the Mexican government in 1831 for protection against Native Americans. When the Mexican government later tried to reclaim the cannon in 1835, the settlers refused, famously declaring "Come and Take It" and firing the cannon in defiance. This event is considered the first shot of the Texas Revolution.
1831:
The Mexican government lends the cannon to the settlers of Gonzales for protection.
1835:
As tensions rise between the Texans and the Mexican government, the government orders the return of the cannon.
"Come and Take It":
.
The settlers of Gonzales refuse to return the cannon, creating a flag with the phrase "Come and Take It" and a picture of the cannon.
Battle of Gonzales:
The Mexican army attempts to retrieve the cannon, leading to the first armed conflict of the Texas Revolution.
The unfortunate part of the story follows:
After the Revolution:
The cannon was eventually buried, and then unearthed and sent to New York, where it was melted down and used to create a bell for St. Mark's Episcopal Church in San Antonio.
But it is a lovely church and is extant to this day!
According to another AI “search”:
The bell at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in San Antonio was likely cast from a cannon found on the property of church founder Samuel Maverick. Newspaper articles and historical accounts say the cannon was found near the Alamo and was believed to have been used in the Battle of the Alamo or other early conflicts. Mary Ann Adams Maverick, Samuel's wife, donated the cannon to the church with the intention of having it repurposed into a bell. The cannon was then shipped to a foundry in West Troy, New York, where it was recast as the church's bell.
For more details:
https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/st-marks-episcopal-church
(c) Texas State Historical Association
And more sources exist discussing the cannon and the church bell.
Parallel story from the TSHA:
St. Mark's Episcopal Church in San Antonio has a bell that is rumored to have been cast from a bronze cannon found near the Alamo. This cannon is said to have been unearthed by church founder Samuel Maverick in the early 1850s, very close to the Alamo. The bell is currently in use at the church.
So – 49 other states – any of them have a better story on a driver’s license?
For the first time, I noticed that on the back of the license there is a cannon! It is a "Gonzalez cannon" and here is the story – an AI account that sums it up nicely:
The "Come and Take It" cannon in Gonzales, Texas, is a symbol of the Texas Revolution. It was originally given to the settlers of Gonzales by the Mexican government in 1831 for protection against Native Americans. When the Mexican government later tried to reclaim the cannon in 1835, the settlers refused, famously declaring "Come and Take It" and firing the cannon in defiance. This event is considered the first shot of the Texas Revolution.
1831:
The Mexican government lends the cannon to the settlers of Gonzales for protection.
1835:
As tensions rise between the Texans and the Mexican government, the government orders the return of the cannon.
"Come and Take It":
.
The settlers of Gonzales refuse to return the cannon, creating a flag with the phrase "Come and Take It" and a picture of the cannon.
Battle of Gonzales:
The Mexican army attempts to retrieve the cannon, leading to the first armed conflict of the Texas Revolution.
The unfortunate part of the story follows:
After the Revolution:
The cannon was eventually buried, and then unearthed and sent to New York, where it was melted down and used to create a bell for St. Mark's Episcopal Church in San Antonio.
But it is a lovely church and is extant to this day!
According to another AI “search”:
The bell at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in San Antonio was likely cast from a cannon found on the property of church founder Samuel Maverick. Newspaper articles and historical accounts say the cannon was found near the Alamo and was believed to have been used in the Battle of the Alamo or other early conflicts. Mary Ann Adams Maverick, Samuel's wife, donated the cannon to the church with the intention of having it repurposed into a bell. The cannon was then shipped to a foundry in West Troy, New York, where it was recast as the church's bell.
For more details:
https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/st-marks-episcopal-church
(c) Texas State Historical Association
And more sources exist discussing the cannon and the church bell.
Parallel story from the TSHA:
St. Mark's Episcopal Church in San Antonio has a bell that is rumored to have been cast from a bronze cannon found near the Alamo. This cannon is said to have been unearthed by church founder Samuel Maverick in the early 1850s, very close to the Alamo. The bell is currently in use at the church.
So – 49 other states – any of them have a better story on a driver’s license?
All mine has is an image of the State Capitol on the front, and a "Lone Star State" logo on the back. Pretty dull stuff, but my license is old. I guess they decided to spiff up the newer ones. On the other hand, my Texas License to Carry has a color image of a prickly pear cactus patch on the front. How cool is that?
