Niños Heroes: Fallen But Not Forgotten
Throughout the month of September, Mexico celebrates a number of national holidays united by the patriotic themes of nation and nationhood. The most well known of these is El Día de la Independencia, Independence Day, which is celebrated on the 16th, with the Grito de Dolores, simply known as El Grito, or call to arms for independence, taking place on the night of the 15th. In addition to El Día de la Independencia, there are other days of national significance in September which also make an important contribution to the general feeling of national pride all across the country during El Mes de la Patria, Patriotic Month. One of these occasions is El Dia de los Niños Héroes, or Day of the Heroic Boys/Cadets, which takes place every year on September 13th and celebrates an act of heroic sacrifice which contributed to the formation of Mexican national identity.
The years directly after Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1810 were marked by the country’s struggles to find a stable form of self governance and to maintain control of its territories in the north, west and southeast. With a lack of well-organized armed forces and consistent governships of states far from the nation’s capital, as well as the United State’s desire to expand its territory in the west and south, it had become increasingly clear that it would be hard for Mexico to contest the demands for land from their northern neighbor. Various disputes eventually led to the outbreak of the Mexican-American war in 1846.
This two-year war was a chastening experience for the fledgling Mexican nation, with the superior equipment, training and organization of the US forces allowing them to relatively easily seize large amounts of land and occupy the Mexican capital. The end result of the conflict saw Mexico lose over half of its former territory, including Texas, California, Utah, Nevada, and parts of modern Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. In the aftermath of such a traumatic national experience, it was necessary for Mexico to reexamine and reforge its national identity. One of the ways it was able to do so was by highlighting some of the acts of heroism that occurred during the war, the most celebrated of which occurred at the battle of Chapultepec in Mexico City on September 13, 1847, by what became known as Los Niños Héroes.
Much of the information about this event is unclear, the subject of contradictory accounts and in some cases, according to historians, clear fabrication. What is clear, however, is that a small force made up primarily of national guardsmen and young cadets were tasked with defending the Chapultepec Castle from attack by a much larger American army. Despite the excellent strategic position of the castle, it was evident that any attempt to resist would be futile, resulting in the vast majority of the force withdrawing after two hours of fighting. The legend however says that six cadets refused the order to withdraw, and continued to fight, each giving their lives defending the castle against impossible odds, with the last surviving cadet leaping from the walls clad in the Mexican flag to prevent it being captured by the advancing American soldiers.
These six young cadets were all under the age of twenty, with the youngest being just thirteen. They came from a variety of backgrounds and parts of the country, and many had only been in cadet training for a short period of time, less than a week in one case. While many of the associated documents were destroyed in the attacks, each of the cadets was identified and history records how they fell during the battles.
Francisco Márquez, aged 13, from Jalisco. The youngest of the martyrs, fell defending the east flank of Chapultepec Hill. He had been a cadet for less than a year at the time of the battle.
An artist depiction of the heroic cadets
Juan de la Barrera, aged 19, from Mexico City. The oldest of the six and a lieutenant, he died manning a gun battery at the castle park’s entrance.
Vicente Suárez, aged 14, from Puebla. An officer cadet who had joined at the age of 12, he died attempting to defend a sentry post in hand to hand combat against overwhelming numbers.
Fernando Montes de Oca, aged 18, from Azcapotzalco, Mexico City. Died defending the castle itself during the course of the battle, although details are unclear as to exactly how.
Agustín Melgar, aged 18, from Chihuahua. Was seriously wounded during fighting inside the castle and passed away the following day from the injuries he had sustained.
Juan Escutia, aged around 19, from Tepic, Nayarit. Perhaps the most famous of the cadets, but also the one about which the least is recorded, he is said to have joined the cadets only five days before the battle and to have died when he leapt from the roof of the castle with the Mexican flag to prevent it from falling into enemy hands. Other accounts say he was found alongside Francisco Márquez on the east flank and that the famous jump was a later addition.
After the war, these young cadets became national symbols of pride, with their willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country demonstrating that even in defeat Mexico was home to brave, patriotic people. Highlighting military bravery was also used as a way to build stronger ties between civilian governments and the army. Once Mexico had become more stable and successfully expelled foreign powers, such as France, monuments to their actions began to be built and events held to celebrate them. This has continued, with the Monumento a los Niños Héroes at the entrance to Chapultepec Park in Mexico City, being one of the most recognizable monuments in the country. Many streets and schools carry the names of the individual cadets in both the capital city and in cities and towns across the country.
The monument at the entrance to Chapultapec national park
Recognition of the bravery of the cadets also contributed to improved relations between Mexico and the US after the war, with many Americans having written about various acts of valor by Mexican soldiers during the war including the Niños Héroes. Even a century later President Truman made a point of paying his respects at the monument, stating that “Brave men don't belong to any one country”.
In schools children learn the names of all of the cadets, and the anniversary of the battle is often given over to lessons about their sacrifice and what it means to make such a sacrifice for your nation. In Mexico City itself wreaths are laid at their monument by politicians and high-ranking military figures. In other parts of the country it is not uncommon to see children dress up as the heroes as part of the remembrance in school parades honoring El Día de los Niños Heroes.
Regardless of the historical accuracy of the heroic acts attributed to cadets, and of their eventual defeat, the decision by the six to fight against hopeless odds has had a significant impact on the Mexican national identity. They may not have been victorious on the battlefield, however if their goal was to defend Mexico, few people can be considered to have done more to ensure that their nation and people would endure.
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