La Paz Baja California Sur

Some of you probably see him more more often than me , his name is Ignacio Zaragoza Seguin (March 24, 1829 - September 8, 1862) and he looks at you every time you pull a $500 peso note out of your pocket! He was a general in the Mexican Army. On the 5th of May 1862 he defeated the invading French forces in the "Battle of Puebla" and became one of Mexico's most celebrated heroes. Zaragoza was born in the town of Presidio de la Bahia de Espiritu Santo, now the city of Goliad, in southeast Texas. He moved to Monterrey, Mexico in 1844 when he was 15 years old and entered the seminary. Unsure of the rigors of a religious life he inlisted in the militia of nuevo Leon. At the age of 24 he decided to pursue a career in the army. he was rapidly promoted to the rank of Captain. Zaragoza was a strong supporter of Benito Juarez, a lawyer calling for changes in the constitution and separation of church and state. When Juarez became the Presidente of mexico in the mid-1850s he invited Zaragoza, who was now a General, to join his cabinet as the minister of war.

It was a challenging time for Mexico. Juarez and his cabinet had to contend with an empty treasury, a wrecked economy, a problematic infrastructure and declining agriculture production. Mexico's main European creditors, England, Spain and France, sent troops to Mexico to collect their financial claims against the Mexican government. As troops continue to increase, it became clear that France, under the rule of Napoleon III, were more interested in war rather than debt collection. Spain and England quickly withdrew, as the French advanced toward the city of Puebla on the road to Mexico City. Zaragoza resigned his political post as minister of war to take charge of Puebla's defense. On the morning of May 5, 1862, Zaragoza's outnumbered troops collided with the French invaders. They fought valiantly causing a French retreat to Orizaba.

Although this was not to be the final battle in stopping the French aggression, it inspired Mexicans to rally for the defense of their land and created immense national pride. Zaragoza was awarded the distinguished honor of Benemerito de la Patria from prsedente Juarez due to his success. Shortly after his famous victory, Zaragoza contracted typhoid fever. He died at the age of 33. His famous quote, "Las armas nationals se han cubierto de gloria" (the national army is coverd with glory), comes from the letter he wrote to presidente Juarez to inform him of the victory over the French. it is used to remeber the battle and is included next to his image on the $500 peso note.