Emiliano Zapata (1879 - 1919)

Fri Aug 08, 1879

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Emiliano Zapata Salazar, born on this day in 1879, was a leading figure in the Mexican Revolution, the main leader of the peasant revolution in the state of Morelos, and the inspiration for the name of the modern Zapatista movement.

Zapata was born in the rural village of Anenecuilco in Morelos State, where peasant communities were under increasing pressure from the small landowning class who had monopolized land and water resources for sugar cane production with the support of dictator Porfirio Díaz.

Early on, Zapata participated in political movements against Díaz and the landowning hacendados. When revolution broke out in 1910, he was positioned as a central leader of the peasant revolt in Morelos. Zapata was responsible for defeating and ousting various invading armies from Morelos on multiple occasions.

On April 10th, 1919, Zapata was assassinated, double-crossed by a member of the Mexican Army who had pretended to switch sides. When Zapata attempted to meet with the would-be defector, he was ambushed and shot to death.

“It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.”

- Emiliano Zapata

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    3•4 months ago

    All respect to those who died fighting for a better world. Also in this picture all I can see is Mark Hamill with an epic handlebar mustache.