Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza -- San Agustin Plaza, Laredo TX - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

In 1980 the Mexican federal government gave the city of Laredo a statue of their great national hero, Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza, who defeated the French at the Battle of Puebla on 5 May 1862, thereby securing independence and freedom for the Mexican people.

Mexicans revere Gen. Ignacio Zaragoza in the same way that Americans revere Gen. George Washington. Both are outsize figures in their respective country's struggles for independence.

Texans also are proud to claim Gen. Zaragoza as one of our own, since he was born near the Texas town of Goliad in 1829, which was at the time part of Mexico. He is closely related to Juan Seguin, a hero of the Texas Revolution. The Zaragoza family moved to Matamoros, Mexico in 1834, shortly before the Texas Revolution began. Source: The Handbook of Texas Online (visit link)

This statue of Gen. Zaragosa is made of bronze and oplaced on a plinth that has been covered with stone tile. He stands facing south to Mexico. Gen. Zaragoza appears to be about life-sized, and is wearing his military dress uniform with epaulets. He holds a sword in his right hand.

On the base of the statue, raised letters spell out one of his famous quotes, as follows:

"Mexicanos
Los hijos de esta generacion
Nacimos libres
Asi nos conservaremos
O moriremos en la demanda
-- Ignacio Zaragoza

[EN: People of Mexico
The children of this generation have been born in freedom, and we must keep it, or die in the demand.]

The bronze plaque on the plinth of the Gen. Zaragoza statue reads as follows:

"GENERAL IGNACIO ZARAGOZA

Heroe De La Battale
Del 5 De Mayo 1862

Obsequio de Mexico
A la Ciudad de Laredo, Texas
En testimonia de sincera amistad
5 del Mayo 1980

Sr. Lio. Jose de Lopez Portillo
Presidente Constitutional de los Estados Unidos de Mexicanos

Sr. Lio. Jorge Castaneda
Secretario de Relaciones Exteriores

Sr. Dr. Alfredo Toxqui Fernandez de Lara
Governador Constitutionale del Estado de Puebla

Sr. D Humberto Zamora Trevino
Consul General de Mexico

Sr. D. Aldo Tatangelo
Alcalde Municipal de Laredo, Texas

Sr. D. Ramiro Sanchez
Comision de Preservation Historica de la Villa de San Agustin de Laredo"

[EN: General Ignacio Zaragoza,
Hero of the Battle
of the 5th of May 1862

A gift from Mexico
to the City of Laredo Texas
In testament to our sincere friendship
the 5 of May 1980

Mr. Jose Lopez Portillo
President of the United Mexican States

Mr. Jorge Castaneda
Secretary of Foreign Relations

Dr. Alfredo Toxqui Fernandez de Lara
Governor of the State of Puebla

Mr. D Humberto Zamora Trevino
Consul General of Mexico

Mr. D. Aldo Tatangelo
Mayor of Laredo, Texas

Mr. D. Ramiro Sanchez
Commissioner of Historic Preservation for the Village of San Agustin in Laredo]

TITLE: General Ignacio Zaragoza ARTIST(S): unknown DATE: 1980 MEDIUM: bronze on a base of stone tile CONTROL NUMBER: IAS TX001026 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: Plaza San Agustin Laredo TX DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: none

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