Spanish
Cinco de Mayo Hero
When “Cinco de Mayo” is mentioned in Mexico, one of the most symbolic battles in the Mexican collective unconscious immediately comes to mind: the Battle of Puebla. General Ignacio Zaragoza, with only a small army, took on the powerful French forces of Napoleon III during the Second French Intervention.
Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin was born on March 24, 1829 in the city of Presidio de La Bahia de Espiritu Santo, now Goliad, in southern Texas, USA. He was the second son of the marriage between Miguel Zaragoza and Maria de Jesus Valdez Martinez Seguin.
When he was five years old, after the independence of Texas, his family moved to Matamoros in Tamaulipas state, where he began his studies and ten years later he moved to Monterrey, Nuevo Leon.
For several years he leaned toward the priesthood, but then left, perhaps to continue the example of his father, who was an infantryman.
During the United States intervention in Mexico between 1846 and 1848,young Zaragoza tried to enlist as a cadet, but was rejected.
He saw, however, from a distance, how Mexico lost more than half of its territory in an unequal war. It was not until 1853 that he managed to enter the Nuevo Leon army, first as a sergeant, then later as captain of his regiment. In 1854, he decided to join the Plan de Ayutla, a movement that attempted to overthrow the dictator Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.
Related Articles
Benito Juarez is undoubtedly one of the most important and revered figures in Mexican history. Each March 21st marks the anniversary of his birth and every elementary school in the country commemorates the man who consolidated the nation as a…
The passion play of Iztapalapa is one of the most popular and one of the biggest, most important religious celebrations in Mexico and in the world. In just one day, more than a million visitors come to a small…
At the foot of the legendary Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl volcanoes is the majestic, peaceful city of Puebla. They say that Puebla, a lovely colonial city, was entrusted to the angels when it was founded, and this is the source of its name: Puebla of…
The Christmas Season in Mexico ends on el Día de la Candelaria, Candlemass Day, celebrated every February 2.
Candlemas commemorates the ritual purification of Mary, 40 days after the birth of Jesus’ birth. This day also celebrates the ritual presentation of baby Jesus
Continue reading →
The chief had a daughter named Iztaccihuatl: the most beautiful of all the princesses, who had professed her love for young Popocatepetl, one of her father’s people and the most handsome warrior. Both professed a deep love for each other, so before leaving for war, Popocatepetl asked the chief for the hand of Princess Iztaccihuatl. Continue reading →
In Mexico both the father’s and mother’s last name are used as a person’s last name. So a person might be named Pedro Ramírez López. Pedro (first name) Ramírez (Father’s last name) López (mother’s last name) . All…
