Friday, October 25 – Goliad, Texas, is the birthplace of the famous Mexican General Ignacio Zaragoza, commander against the French Army in the battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. French forces attacked Puebla in a battle that lasted the entire day of May 5, 1862, the now-famed Cinco de Mayo. Zaragoza's well-armed, well-trained men forced the withdrawal of the French troops from Puebla to Orizaba.
Zaragoza's birthplace
Zaragoza became one of the great national heroes of Mexico. Songs have been written in his honor, and schools, plazas, and streets have been named either Zaragoza or Cinco de Mayo.
Unique fact about Zaragoza…On January 21, 1857, while on an important army assignment in San Luis Potosí, Zaragoza was unable to attend his own marriage to Rafaela Padilla in Monterey, so his brother, Miguel, served as his proxy.
A short walk from the Zaragoza Memorial took us to another historical site, the Fannin's Memorial. After “Remember the Alamo,” the Texas Revolution’s most potent battle cry was “Remember Goliad.” The darkest day in Texas history, The Goliad Massacre, took place on Palm Sunday, March 27, 1836, when Col. James Fannin and 341 men under his command were executed a week after their capture. Some were killed along roads near Goliad’s historic Presidio La Bahía. Others, including Fannin, were executed inside the fort, which had been constructed in 1749 to protect the nearby Mission Espíritu Santo. Fannin and his troops are buried beneath the Fannin Memorial Monument, located next to the fort. There was twice the loss of life at Goliad as there was at the Battle of the Alamo.
While visiting these two historic sites, Paul attracted a new little friend. This little guy followed us everywhere. Paul tried to explain to him that we had nothing to share.
Another interesting tidbit for football fans: We also learned that Goliad is the home of former Houston Oiler Coach Bum Phillips who recently passed away. He has a large ranch just outside town.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!
