Niños Héroes (Boy Heroes)

The Niños Héroes are six Military College cadets who died defending Chapultepec Castle against the United States army on September 13, 1847, during the Mexican-American War: Juan de la Barrera, Juan Escutia, Agustín Melgar, Fernando Montes de Oca, Vicente Suárez and Francisco Márquez.

According to tradition, Juan Escutia leapt to his death wrapped in the Mexican flag so that it would not fall into enemy hands. They are honoured at the Altar a la Patria, at the entrance to Chapultepec Park.