Happy (Texas) Independence Day! On March 2 in 1836, Texas became a Republic with its declaration of independence from Mexico. Did you know that there are even a few Italian connections to Texas’ independence? One comes in the form of Prospero Bernardi, who was born in what is now Italy in 1794 and was a notary by trade.

He arrived in Texas in 1836 and enlisted in the Texas army February 13, 1836. Bernardi distinguished himself as a hero at the Battle of San Jacinto. He remained in the Texas army until January or February 1837, when he was medically discharged at Galveston because of a spinal injury sustained during fighting.

By 1838 Bernardi's whereabouts were unknown, though two fellow soldiers testified that he had died. A bust stands today in front of the Hall of State at Fair Park here in Dallas.

The likeness, carved by noted Italian Texan sculptor Pompeo Coppini, was commissioned by the Dallas Italian-American newspaper “La Tribuna Italiana” (which rebranded as the "Texas Tribune" in 1940 so as to avoid any negative association with Fascist Italy) and donated by Italian residents of Texas. Bernardi’s bust was dedicated on October 12, 1936 in honor of Italian Day at the Texas Centennial Exposition and reads: "Prospero Bernardi / Italian Texan Hero / at the Battle of / San Jacinto 1836."