MOMENTS IN TIME

The History Channel

• On Feb. 21, 1828, the first printing press designed to use the newly invented Cherokee alphabet arrives at New Echota, Ga. A young Cherokee, Sequoyah, had invented the written language, consisting of 86 characters. Within months, the first Indian language newspaper in history was printed. It was called the Cherokee Phoenix.

• On Feb. 24, 1836, in San Antonio, Texas, Colonel William Travis issues a call for help on behalf of Texan troops defending the Alamo, an old Spanish mission and fortress under attack by the Mexican army. Only 32 men from the nearby town of Gonzales r...