Jose Morelos
José Morelos y Pavyn was born on this date in 1765. He was an Afro Mexican priest, soldier, abolitionist, and early leader of Mexico's struggle for independence from Spain.
Morelos was born in Morelia (then known as "Valladolid" and later renamed in his honor) in Michoacan, then part of New Spain. At 33, he was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest. In 1810, he joined the rebellion against Spain called for by Miguel Hidalgo. After Hidalgo was captured and executed, Morelos took over as the revolution's leader. In 1812, he effectively fought against the Viceroy's Spanish army and captured the cities of Oaxaca and Acapulco, Mexico's main Pacific seaport, the following year.
Morelos is a national hero of Mexico. In addition to the city of Morelia, the state of Morelos was named after him. Morelos was captured by Spanish forces and shot as a traitor at the village of San Cristobal Ecatepec on December 22, 1815. His lieutenant, Vicente Guerrero, continued the fight after his death.
