Santa Anna, Antonio López de (c. 1795–1876)

Last stand at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, USA. Though the Alamo fell to the Mexicans, the death of its Texan defenders – including Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie – came to symbolize courage and sacrifice for the cause of liberty. The Texan army under Sam Houston shouted ‘Remember the Alamo!’ as it defeated Mexican forces led by Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto in April 1836.

Mexican revolutionary. He became general and dictator of Mexico for most of the years between 1824 and 1855. He led the attack on the Alamo fort in Texas in 1836.

A leader in achieving Mexican independence from Spain 1821, he led revolts against Emperor Agustín and two presidents, becoming president himself 1833 and later assuming dictatorial powers. When the people of Texas, then part of Mexico, revolted against the Santa Anna government, he led the forces that captured the Alamo in San Antonio 1836 but was wounded and captured later that year. Released after agreeing to independence for Texas, he returned to Mexico, where he regained political power. Defeated by US forces during the Mexican War 1846–48, Santa Anna was forced into exile, but he seized power again 1853, ruling as a dictator until he was forced from power for the last time 1855. For most of the next 20 years he lived in exile but returned to Mexico shortly before his death.