Ignacio Zaragoza

On May 5, 1862, General Ignacio Zaragoza commanded the Mexican forces that defeated the invading French army at Puebla, during the French Intervention. The victory is celebrated every year as Cinco de Mayo, and the city was later renamed Puebla de Zaragoza in his honor.

Zaragoza died of typhoid fever just months after the battle. Don’t confuse this 1862 victory with the 1863 siege of Puebla, which the French ultimately won; a young Porfirio Díaz fought in the 1862 battle, but under Zaragoza’s command.