Niños Héroes

During the Mexican-American War, United States troops stormed Chapultepec Castle, then home to the Military College, on September 13, 1847. Six young cadets who died in the defense are honored as the Niños Héroes: Juan de la Barrera, Juan Escutia, Francisco Márquez, Agustín Melgar, Fernando Montes de Oca and Vicente Suárez. Suárez was just 14 years old, and according to tradition he died fighting at his sentry post.