Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla

One of the greatest heroes in the history of Mexico is the patriotic priest, Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. He is very popular because of his bravery and patriotism to Mexico. Don Miguel Hidalgo, with other Mexican heroes, fought many years to free Mexico from the Spanish government. Of course thousands of people died fighting for freedom but Don Miguel Hidalgo never gave up and fought until death. Also he was a very good citizen of his town and worked as a teacher. One of the things that made him a great hero is that his town worried him. That's when in 1810 he started the war with the Spanish government for Mexican freedom.

Don Miguel Hidalgo was born in San Diego Corralejo, Guanajuato. At the 12 years he left his city and traveled to Valladolid (now Morelia) where he studied in the San Nicholas School. In 1770 he left Valladolid city and want to Mexico City to study in High School. In 1773 he graduated from the High School. During the next years he realized a brilliant profession that ended in 1790. In 1798 he was named priest, he received many holy orders and oversaw many parishes. In 1808 Spain attacked Mexico, which made many conflicts in Spain and America. In 1810 the government of Mexico decided to attack Spain and start the War of Independence. In 1811 Don Miguel Hidalgo was arrested in Norias del Bajan by the Spanish government and few days after he was executed with Ignacio Allende, Juan Aldama and José Mariano Jiménez.

Many people consider him a hero because he fought for the Mexican freedom. Without him, maybe right now we will be under the Spanish government's power. He gave all his life and courage to defend Mexico because he cared about the Mexican people and how much they suffered paying extra taxes and being killed by the Spanish army. There were many other heroes after him like José María Morelos or Francisco I. Madero from the Mexican Revolution but no hero is like Don Miguel Hidalgo. In 1824, Miguel Hidalgo was recognized as first insurgent. José María Morelos also helped because when Miguel Hidalgo died, Morelos continued the War for Independence. Morelos kept fighting until he won the war and made Mexico free from any country.

information in: http://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/h/hidalgo.htm