Front: Guadalupe Obregon (as a child)

Two dogs

Front: Gypsy

Back: Independence Monument

Front: Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753-1811), Mexican priest, revolutionary, and a national hero

As parish priest of the village of Dolores, Hidalgo attempted to improve the lot of the natives. Under his direction the indigenous peoples set out olive groves and vineyards, built a porcelain factory, engaged in the silk industry, and began other forbidden projects. As a result he antagonized the local colonial government.

When Napoleon invaded Spain and gave birth of the separatist movements in Mexico and other South American countries, Hidalgo was one of a group of Creoles who openly adopted the cause of independence. On Sept. 16, 1810, he issued the Grito de Dolores (cry of Dolores), launching the revolt against Spain. Hidalgo gathered an immense army of local Indians. With the banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe as his standard, he injected religious zeal into the insurrection, but the Indians' cry for freedom and land was just as fervent.

Hidalgo's ill-organized army was routed at Aculco Oct. 30, 1810. At Guadalajara, Hidalgo reorganized the army that was sent forth only to be crushed by Calleja del Rey, the royalist general. Hidalgo and the other leaders made their way north, hoping to reach the United States, but were betrayed and captured. Hidalgo, after being degraded (defrocked) by the Inquisition, was shot.

Back: Dolores Cathedral

Front: José María Morelos y Pavón (1765-1815), a leader in the struggle for independence and a national hero

He was, like Hidalgo y Costilla, a liberal priest. Joining the revolution in 1810, he conducted a brilliant campaign in the south. After the execution of Hidalgo, he became insurrectionary chief. The Congress of Chilpancingo, convened in 1813 under his protection, elected him generalissimo with the powers of chief executive.

Late in 1813 his forces were routed at Valladolid by Iturbide and were later again defeated. Morelos was captured, degraded by the Inquisition, and shot in 1815.

Back: Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl

Front: Benito Juarez (1806-1872), President of Mexico

Benito Juarez was largely self-educated. He became a lawyer, a judge, Minister of Justice, and served two terms as President of Mexico.

Back: Temple and Aztec god