>>Maybe the War of 1812?
>>The Alamo?
>
>Maybe it was the unexpectedness of 9/11. The War of 1812 was declared, don't know offhand about the situation with Mexico around the time of the Alamo.

The Alamo was fought during the Texas War of Independence and was, basically, a holding action to give Sam Houston more time to get troops together. If Santa Anna hadn't given the 'no quarter' order, it would have been a minor skirmish and probably forgotten. We say "Remember the Alamo" not because it was a huge victory but because of the sacrifice of the men holding it.



>
>>I like Mike's phrase.