Ignacio Zaragoza

Ignacio Zaragoza was a Mexican general who led the army that defeated French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Battle of Puebla: A battle fought on May 5, 1862, in which Mexican forces defeated a French army outside Puebla. Zaragoza commanded the Mexican forces in this defining victory.
Mexican War of Reform: A civil war from 1857 to 1861 between Mexican liberals and conservatives over the country’s political order. Zaragoza gained military experience serving the liberal government during this conflict.
Ignacio Comonfort: A Mexican general and politician who served as president from 1855 to 1858. Zaragoza served in the liberal forces during Comonfort’s presidency.
Second Mexican Empire: The monarchy established in Mexico under Maximilian I from 1864 to 1867. Puebla delayed the French advance but did not prevent this later imperial regime.
Cinco de Mayo: A Mexican holiday commemorating the victory over French forces at Puebla on May 5, 1862. The date of Zaragoza’s victory became the holiday’s annual observance.
French intervention in Mexico: A French invasion and occupation of Mexico beginning in 1862, which established the Second Mexican Empire. The intervention created the campaign in which Zaragoza became prominent.
Porfirio Díaz: A Mexican military officer and politician who later ruled Mexico for much of 1876–1911. Díaz was among the Mexican officers who fought at Puebla under Zaragoza.
Siege of Puebla (1863): A French siege that captured Puebla in 1863 after a prolonged defense by Mexican forces. The French returned and took the city Zaragoza had successfully defended the year before.
Fort Loreto: A hilltop fort in Puebla that formed part of the Mexican defenses during the 1862 battle. Its defense was central to the Mexican position Zaragoza commanded.
Second French Empire: The French regime ruled by Napoleon III from 1852 to 1870. Napoleon III’s government launched the expedition Zaragoza’s army opposed.

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