Last Aztec Emperor | Faced Hernán Cortés in the Spanish Conquest

Montezuma II, also spelled Moctezuma, was the ninth emperor of the Aztec Empire and ruled from 1502 to 1520. A deeply spiritual and skilled statesman, he expanded the empire to its greatest territorial extent. However, his reign is most remembered for his tragic encounter with the Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés. Believing Cortés might be a divine figure, Montezuma initially welcomed the Spanish, which ultimately led to his capture and the collapse of the Aztec Empire. He died under mysterious circumstances while imprisoned. Montezuma’s legacy endures as a symbol of both imperial power and the devastating clash between Indigenous civilizations and European colonizers.

“He faced the invader with the weight of a nation behind him.”

Indigenous Interpreter | Symbolic Mother of Mexican Identity

La Malinche, also known as Malintzin or Doña Marina, was a Nahua woman who became the indispensable translator, advisor, and intermediary between Hernán Cortés and the Indigenous peoples of Mexico. Fluent in Nahuatl and Maya, she played a critical role in the communication and negotiation that led to the downfall of the Aztec Empire. While some have branded her a traitor, modern historians recognize her as a survivor of conquest and enslavement, a woman who navigated impossible choices in a time of upheaval.

She gave birth to Martín Cortés, one of the first known mestizo children — making her both a mother in the literal sense and a symbolic mother of modern Mexican identity. Her legacy continues to spark debate and reflection across generations.

“Neither traitor nor saint — she was the mother of a nation, one that shaped who we are as Mexican-Americans.”

Conqueror of Tenochtitlán | Catalyst of Colonial Rule

Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire. Arriving in 1519, he formed alliances with Indigenous enemies of the Aztecs, captured Tenochtitlán, and overthrew Emperor Montezuma II. His conquest ushered in nearly 300 years of Spanish colonial rule in Mexico. Though often seen as a symbol of destruction, Cortés’s role also marked a turning point that reshaped the cultural, political, and religious landscape of the Americas.

“He came as conqueror, but left behind a new world we still carry in our blood.”

First Inhabitants of Central Texas | Namesake of Waco

The Huaco were a band of the Wichita people who lived along the Brazos River in what is now Central Texas. Known for their thatched dome-shaped homes, tattooed faces, and complex social structures, they cultivated corn, hunted buffalo, and traded with neighboring tribes. Spanish and Anglo settlers recorded encounters with the Huaco as early as the 1700s, though their presence in the region predates written history. The city of Waco derives its name from this tribe — a lasting reminder of the Indigenous roots beneath the modern landscape. Though eventually displaced by disease, warfare, and U.S. expansion, the Huaco legacy lives on in the very name of the city they once called home.

“Before it was Waco, it was Huaco land.”

Poet of the Soul | Pioneer of Women’s Rights

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz was a self-taught scholar, poet, and nun during colonial Mexico. Known as the “Tenth Muse,” she was one of the most brilliant minds of her time. Defying societal norms, she wrote eloquently about theology, love, and gender — arguing for women’s right to education. Her bold writings challenged male authority in the Church and led to her silencing by religious officials. Yet her legacy as a trailblazer for women’s intellectual freedom continues to inspire generations.

“The pen was her sword — and she wrote for every silenced woman.”

“Father of the Revolution | Voice of the Grito”

Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla was a Catholic priest, scholar, and revolutionary leader who sparked the movement for Mexican independence from Spanish colonial rule. Known for his intellect and compassion for the poor, Hidalgo was deeply influenced by Enlightenment ideas. On the early morning of September 16, 1810, he issued the Grito de Dolores, a fiery speech calling on Mexicans to rise up against injustice, corruption, and tyranny.

He led an army of Indigenous and mestizo peasants in a bold but ultimately short-lived rebellion, capturing key cities and striking fear into the heart of Spanish authorities. Though captured and executed in 1811, Hidalgo’s cry for freedom endured — becoming the symbolic birth of the Mexican nation. Today, September 16th is celebrated as Mexico’s Independence Day, and Hidalgo’s name lives on as a champion of liberty, justice, and national pride.

“He rang the bell—and a nation awoke.”

Signer of Texas Independence | Tejano voice in the Republic’s first Senate

José Francisco Ruiz was a Tejano patriot, educator, and military officer, and one of only two native-born Texans to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence. Born in San Antonio and educated in Spain, Ruiz returned in 1803 to become the city’s first schoolmaster. He later served on the city council and was deeply involved in civic life.

A former officer in the Mexican Army, Ruiz grew disillusioned with Santa Anna’s centralist regime and joined the Texas independence movement. In 1836, Ruiz and his nephew José Antonio Navarro represented San Antonio at the Texas Convention and signed the Declaration of Independence. After the revolution, he served as Senator in the First Congress of the Republic of Texas (1836–1837), advocating for Tejano rights in the new republic.

A skilled negotiator and diplomat, Ruiz worked to broker peace with Indigenous tribes and fought to protect Texas from foreign threats. Though often overlooked in mainstream history, his role in founding the Republic of Texas, as both soldier and statesman, is undeniable.

“A Tejano patriot, Ruiz helped birth a republic and fought to make it include his people.”

Tejano Patriot | Voice of Liberty in Two Nations

José Antonio Navarro was one of the most influential Tejano patriots in Texas history. Born in San Antonio when the region was still part of New Spain, he was a rancher, lawyer, and legislator who helped shape Texas from colony to republic to state. As a delegate to the Convention of 1836, he was one of only two native-born Texans to sign the Texas Declaration of Independence.

He later helped draft the first Texas Constitution and served in both the Congress of the Republic of Texas and the Texas State Senate after annexation. Though fiercely loyal to the cause of independence, Navarro remained equally committed to the rights of Mexican Texans (Tejanos). He risked his life and liberty for his beliefs, including enduring imprisonment by Mexico for supporting the revolution.

Sidelined by the system he helped build, Navarro spent his later years fighting for civil rights and land protections — a symbol of both courage and injustice in Texas’s founding story. His life reflects the resilience, quiet strength, and unshakable patriotism of a man who gave Texas its foundation — and never stopped defending his people.

His legacy continues through Navarro County, named in his honor, and through generations of Tejano leaders he helped inspire.

“He gave Texas its name — but never stopped fighting for Tejanos.”

Architect of Two Revolutions | Founding Texan Statesman

Lorenzo de Zavala was a Mexican-born intellectual, writer, and statesman who became a passionate advocate for democracy and federalism in both Mexico and Texas. He initially supported Mexican independence from Spain, helping draft early republican constitutions. As political corruption overtook Mexico, Zavala broke with centralist forces and aligned with Anglo-Texans in their fight for independence. He became the first vice president of the Republic of Texas, a role that cemented his place in Texas history.

Though some view his allegiance shift as controversial, Zavala remains a symbol of visionary leadership, caught between two emerging nations and striving to uphold the ideals of liberty. His legacy reflects the difficult choices Tejanos had to make in a rapidly changing political landscape.

“A visionary between two flags — Mexico’s son, Texas’s statesman.”

Mapmaker of Texas | Witness to a Changing Land

Jacob De Cordova was a Jewish-Tejano land agent, legislator, and publisher who played a key role in mapping and promoting immigration to Texas. He surveyed vast stretches of land, created one of the first comprehensive maps of Texas, and founded the town of Waco. As a legislator and newspaper editor, he advocated for education and economic growth.

Yet, his legacy also reflects the complex dynamics of post-independence Texas, where Tejano and Indigenous families were increasingly dispossessed. Though not known for exploitation, De Cordova worked within a system that often resulted in Mexican landowners losing ancestral lands as Anglo settlement expanded. He remains a symbol of both Texas development and the difficult transitions that shaped the Mexican-American experience.

“He mapped a new Texas — and laid the lines for Waco.”

Preserving the Alamo l Championing Texas's Tejano heritage

Adina De Zavala was a pioneering preservationist and historian whose fierce dedication helped save the Alamo from destruction. As the granddaughter of Lorenzo de Zavala, the first vice president of the Republic of Texas, she grew up enriched in the cultural and political legacy of early Texas.

She became a leading figure in the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and fought tirelessly to preserve Texas’s historic sites, especially those reflecting the contributions of Tejanos and other underrepresented voices. Her most famous act was a three-day standoff inside the Alamo’s long barracks in 1908, refusing to leave until state officials agreed not to demolish it.

Despite facing criticism and dismissal from male-dominated institutions of the time, her courage gained national attention. The governor ultimately sided with her position, and the building she fought for still stands today.

Through her writing, advocacy, and activism, De Zavala ensured that future generations would remember not just the battles, but the diverse people who shaped Texas’s story.

“She refused to leave, so history could stay.”

Defender of Mexican Sovereignty | Hero of Cinco de Mayo

General Ignacio Zaragoza was a Mexican military leader born in Goliad, Texas, when it was still part of Mexico. He became a national hero for leading a vastly outnumbered Mexican army to victory over the French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 — a day now celebrated as Cinco de Mayo.

Zaragoza's leadership and strategy helped defend Mexican sovereignty during a time when European powers sought to establish control over the region. His army, made up largely of indigenous and mestizo fighters, defeated the well-equipped French troops, demonstrating that the will of the people could overcome imperial power. His famous message to President Juárez, "Las armas nacionales se han cubierto de gloria" (“The national arms have been covered with glory”), became a rallying cry for Mexican patriotism.

Tragically, Zaragoza died just months after the victory, at the age of 33, from typhoid fever. Despite his short life, his legacy continues to symbolize Mexican resistance, pride, and unity, especially among Mexican-Americans who celebrate Cinco de Mayo as a day of cultural pride and historical remembrance.

“Outnumbered, but not outmatched.”

Leader of the Mexican Revolution | Champion of Land Reform

Emiliano Zapata was a key figure in the Mexican Revolution, leading a movement that sought to return land to the people and end the exploitation of Mexico’s rural poor. His rallying cry, "Tierra y Libertad" (Land and Liberty), became a symbol of the fight for justice and equality.

Born into a poor farming family, Zapata witnessed firsthand the hardships faced by Indigenous and peasant communities under the hacienda system. In 1911, he authored the Plan de Ayala, a revolutionary document demanding the return of stolen lands, the redistribution of large estates, and communal land ownership through the ejido system.

Zapata and his followers, known as Zapatistas, did not seek violence — but when peaceful petitions were ignored and reform met with repression, they took up arms. For Zapata, the revolution was not about personal power, but about restoring dignity, spiritual balance, and justice to the people and the land.

Though assassinated in 1919, Zapata's ideals lived on. His vision shaped Article 27 of the 1917 Mexican Constitution, and in the 1930s, millions of acres were redistributed under President Lázaro Cárdenas in alignment with Zapata’s dream. He later inspired the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) and remains a global symbol of resistance, Indigenous sovereignty, and moral leadership.

Zapata’s humility, unwavering integrity, and personal sacrifice made him more than a revolutionary — he became a guardian of the land, a voice for the voiceless, and a patron saint of agrarian justice whose spirit endures wherever people rise to defend what is right.

“The land was his soul — and justice his revolution.”

Disguised herself as a man to fight in the Mexican Revolution; led hundreds of female soldiers

Petra Herrera was a revolutionary woman who defied gender norms and became a legendary figure in the Mexican Revolution. At a time when women were often relegated to support roles, Herrera disguised herself as a man—going by “Pedro Herrera”—in order to join the ranks of male soldiers. Her skill, courage, and leadership were undeniable. She played a key role in several battles, including the second battle of Torreón in 1914, where she reportedly blew up bridges and led troops into combat.

When her identity as a woman was discovered, she left the male-dominated army and formed her own all-female battalion, commanding hundreds of women in active combat. Despite her extraordinary contributions, she was denied formal recognition by revolutionary leaders. She was eventually murdered under mysterious circumstances, likely due to her growing influence.

Today, Petra Herrera is remembered as a fearless symbol of both revolutionary strength and the ongoing fight for women's recognition in history.

“She led like a general, fought like a soldier, and stood as a sister to the revolution.”

Swallow in Flight A symbol of migration, return, and resilience — representing the movement of people across borders and generations. Timeless symbol (used across centuries, including in Mexican and Indigenous folklore)

El Camino Real de los Tejas The historic road system connecting central Mexico to Texas, used by Indigenous peoples, Spanish settlers, missionaries, and traders. Established: Late 1600s–1700s Key cities: Saltillo, Monterrey, Laredo, Goliad, San Antonio, Nacogdoches

Máquina 1399 (Historic Train) Symbol of modernization and migration, representing early 20th-century travel for workers, families, and soldiers during the industrial era. Era: Late 1800s–Early 1900s

Monclova Colonial Building Monclova served as the capital of Coahuila y Tejas during Spanish and Mexican rule. Capital years: ca. 1780s–1820s

Mission San Francisco de la Espada (San Antonio) One of the earliest Spanish colonial missions in Texas, built to convert and control Indigenous populations. Founded: 1690 (originally in East Texas) | Relocated to San Antonio: 1731

Eagle & Cactus (Aztec Origin Symbol) Represents the founding of Tenochtitlán according to Aztec prophecy — now featured on the Mexican flag. Legendary date: 1325 | Mexican Flag adopted: 1821 (modern design in 1968)

Bald Eagle & U.S. Flag Symbol of the United States and American ideals. Represents expansion, freedom, and the new political system after Texas became part of the U.S. U.S. Flag adopted: 1777 | Texas annexed to U.S.: 1845

The Alamo (Mission San Antonio de Padua) Originally a mission (1718), it became the site of the Battle of the Alamo — later preserved through the activism of Adina De Zavala. Founded: 1718 | Battle of the Alamo: March 6, 1836

Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana (First Mexican Baptist Church) One of Waco’s earliest Latino churches and faith communities, established by and for Mexican-American families. Founded: ca. 1910s

Mexican Flag Represents national identity, pride, and independence. Current version adopted: 1968 | Original flag established: 1821

American Flag Represents the United States, its institutions, and its promise — both realized and denied — to Mexican Americans. Adopted: 1777

The de Zavala Flag Flag associated with Adina De Zavala’s preservationist work and Texas independence history. Used ca.: Late 1800s–early 1900s (as part of historic preservation efforts)

Cerros de Tetillas / Río Grande, Zacatecas

Iconic mountain and river valley landmarks important to migration history from Central Mexico