The Rand Paul filibuster about drone attacks on U.S. citizens became historic today, not just because it was bipartisan, but because of a letter read by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).

The junior senator from Texas marked the 177th anniversary of the fall of the Alamo, by reading aloud a letter from the fort's commander - Col. William Barrett Travis. He asked Sen. Paul if "the following letter gives the senator from Kentucky encouragement and sustenance as he stands and fights for liberty?"

Col. Travis reportedly drew a line in the sand and asked any willing to fight to step over. His letter told how the defenders of the Alamo were besieged by the Mexican army that was growing larger by the day. "I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & every thing dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch," Travis wrote.

The letter concluded with a powerful vow: "Victory or Death."

The actual letter will be at the Alamo until March 8 to give people a chance to view the famous document. But, even for those who don't get to see it, Sen. Cruz made sure they could remember the meaning.

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