| Vol 8, No 329 | November 25, 1999 | Thursday Evening |
(1999)
On this date in 1999, 40,000 candles were lit near the site where a week before 12 students died in the collapse of the log "stack" being construction for Aggie Bonfire. The Bonfire, an annual event for over 90 years at Texas A&M, was constructed each year before the football game with the University of Texas. But this year, at 2:00 am on November 18th, the 5,000 logs collapsed, killing 12 and injuring 27. With the assistance of over 50 television news trucks, the entire nation watched in horror as the victims were removed from the pile of logs. The tradition of an on-campus Bonfire was discontinued, and today, at the site of the tragedy, is a memorial in tribute to those who died at the 1999 Bonfire.
(1836)
On this date in 1835, Santa Anna, captured at the battle of San Jacinto, is released from Texas custody, and dispatched to Washington, where he has agreed to speak to Congress on behalf of US recognition of the now independent Texas.
