Heru of Mexico
Born :1765
Born on this day was this Afro-Mexican priest, soldier, abolitionist, and an early leader of Mexico's struggle for independence from Spain.
He is a national hero of Mexico.. He was, a liberal Catholic priest. Joining the revolution (1810), he conducted a brilliant campaign in the south and after the execution of Hidalgo he became insurrectionary chief. He defended Cuautla against Calleja del Rey for several months, and then cut through the siege. After taking Orizaba and Oaxaca (1812) in a brilliant engagement, Morelos captured Acapulco (1813).
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 (later named Morelia in his honor) by Iturbide and were later again defeated.
In 1815, Morelos was captured by the Spanish forces and shot as a traitor at the village of San Cristybal Ecatepec. His trusted lieutenants Vicente Guerrero and Guadalupe Victoria continued the fight after passing.