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Front: Indian Chief Diriangen (1500s) and Sorghum plants

In 1523 Chief Diriangen attacked the Spanish expedition forces led by Gil Gonzalez who was trying to convert the local Indians to Christianity.

Back: Rafaela Herrera (1743-178_), defender of Spanish fortress

Hostilities flared up between Britain and Spain shortly after the Family Treaty between Charles III (Britain) and Louis XV (France) was signed. The two countries went on attacking each other's colonies in Central America. The British was aware of the importance of Nicaragua for inter-oceanic communication. By now, Britain already had colonies around the world, and the efficient transport of goods and military personnel from one place to another was of paramount importance. Consequently, Nicaragua became a target for their attacks.

British strategy was to take over the Castle of the Immaculate Conception at the mouth of the San Juan River and thus leave Granada wide open for further attacks. The English army arrived at the Castle on July 26, 1762. The fortress commander, Captain Jose Herrera y Sotomayor, had just died suddenly a few days earlier. Lieutenant Juan de Aguilar y Santa Cruz was the second-in-command. The daughter of Captain Herrera, Rafaela Harrera, requested permission from the lieutenant to fire a cannon at the invaders. The siege lasted six days. During this time, young Rafaela Herrera inspired the Spanish soldiers to fight and took initiative against the British. On one occasion, legend has it that she threw into the water lighted bed sheets and tree branches that had been smeared with alcohol. It is said that the current took them onto the British anchored ships. After a few days of fighting, the English withdrew, fearing the reinforcements that would be arriving from Granada.

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Front: José Santos Zelaya (1853-1919), president of Nicaragua (1894-1909)

Although a leader of the Liberal party, he kept power by playing the Liberal and Conservative parties against each other and established an unswerving dictatorship. Zelaya developed railroad and steamer transportation, coffee growing, and education, but nevertheless he drained Nicaragua's resources for his own profit. He seized (1894) the Mosquito Coast by force, thus ending British control. He fomented revolutions in neighboring countries and tried to reestablish the Central American Federation with himself as head. His ambitions created intense opposition, which led to the Washington Conference of 1907 and the establishment of the Central American Court of Justice. The United States was highly antagonistic to him, and the presence of U.S. cruisers helped rebel forces to overthrow and exile him.

Back: Seal of Nicaragua