History buffs know General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín for his role in the Battle of Puebla. Mexico’s victory over French forces was a major symbol of the country’s fight for independence — a victory many celebrate as Cinco de Mayo.
But did you know Zaragoza had familial ties to San Antonio?
A brief timeline
- 1825 | Zaragoza’s father, Miguel Zaragoza is stationed at San Antonio de Béxar. There he met María Teresa de Jesús Seguín, a relative of Tejano politician Juan Seguín.
- 1829 | Ignacio Zaragoza is born in Goliad, Texas.
- 1835 | The family moves to San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
- ~1850s | Zaragoza joins the National Guard of Nuevo León.
- 1861 | Zaragoza serves as Secretary of War, but resigns to lead the Army of the East.
- 1862 | Zaragoza leads the Mexican forces against France in the Battle of Puebla.
Visit Zaragoza’s birthplace in Goliad State Park. It’s a ~2-hour drive from Downtown San Antonio. (Here, we put it in Google Maps for you.)
