The Come and Take It Flag and the Battle of Gonzales History is nearly 200 years old, and it’s as ingrained in Texas culture as its famous red and white flag. The motto is a reminder of a time when Texans boldly defied Mexican rule and made a name for themselves as a proud and independent state. While many people may not agree on how that spirit of rebellion manifests itself today, there’s no denying it is still part of the fabric of the state.
When Mexican government officials demanded the surrender of a small cannon brought by Texan colonists to defend their settlement from attack, a handful of Texans responded with a daring battle cry: “Come and take it.” The Texans resisted, fought, and defeated the Mexican army at the Battle of Gonzales, the first fight in the Texas Revolution. The phrase became synonymous with the unyielding spirit of the Texans, who would later form the Republic of Texas less than a year after the Battle of Gonzales.
The Battle of Gonzales: Exploring the Come and Take It Flag
While the term might be known as a symbol of Texas independence, it has also become a rallying cry for other groups that feel threatened or oppressed by current policies. Some have even used it to refer to their own experiences with discrimination or bigotry. For example, when a Russian warship was ordered to leave the waters of Ukraine in 2022, a Ukrainian border guard responded with “Russkiy voyenniy korabl, idi nahuy” (“Russian ship, go fuck yourself”). While some may see it as a proud declaration of independence from an overreaching federal government, others might hear it as coded language against racial groups that have been at the forefront of modern-day protests.