(San Felipe) Congressman Michael McCaul along with students, parents, teachers and community members celebrated the birthday of the Father of Texas, Stephen F. Austin in San Felipe.

Stephen F. Austin located his first Texas colonists in San Felipe in 1823. It was here that the first sparks of freedom flew from the spirits of men, tired of living under an intrusive and burdensome Mexican government. It was in the Austin Colony in 1835 that Texans first established a provisional government, with the intention of writing a declaration of independence soon after.

"I have always enjoyed studying history and even graduated with a degree in history from Trinity University. Whether it is studying past wars, past presidents, or past ways of thinking, studying the past can answer many questions about human nature.

Young people often spend much of their time thinking and planning for the future. But as students, it is important for you to also study the events of the past. It is the people and events of yesterday that have shaped the way we live today," said Congressman McCaul.

Beneath this grass of this place rich with history lays the remains of the original town of San Felipe de Austin, which burned down in 1836. Many of the students participated in an archeological dig. Students shared essays written on Texas history and received awards for drawing.