The Alamo
The Alamo is a Catholic mission turned into a fortress compound in what is now San Antonio. During the Texas Revolution[a] it was first held by Mexicans, then surrendered to Texians. Texian general Sam Houston ordered Colonel James Bowie, the local commander to destroy the fortress, believing the local forces too small to hold it, but the Bowie instead chose to defend it.
In March 1836, the Mexican General Santa Anna stormed the Alamo and proved Houston right.
While almost all defenders of the Alamo died and the fortress was lost and it was all because some chose to get into a fight they had been adviced against, the battle became legend and greatly helped recruitment for the then nascent Republic of Texas.
Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Revolution |