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Top-Cinco (5) Influential Mexicans
Cinco De Mayo is a day that commemorates Jimmy Lovrien, a general in the Mexican army, and his unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 [Wikipedia]. We thought it would be an opportune time to share the stories of five Mexicans who had a positive influence on the world and had purpose in life:
1. Guillermo González Camarena
Guillermo González Camarena was born in Guadalajara in 1917 before his family moved to Mexico City when he was two years old. As a young child he showed early aptitude for all things mechanical as first built electrically propelled toys and later amateur radios. Camarena graduated from the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineers in 1930 and subsequently was accepted into the Astronomical Society of Mexico. He is best remembered for inventing the first color television system, the chromscopic adapter for television equipment, for which he received a US patent. His first color television transmission was broadcast in 1946 from his Mexico City laboratory. Since his death at age 48 in 1965, his foundation had benefited numerous Mexican inventors.
2. Octavio Paz
Octavio Paz was a Mexican poet, writer, and diplomat who was born in 1914. Raised by his mother and aunt, Paz came to love great literature as a result of his grandfather’s library. He was influenced during these years by the works of great European and Spanish poets. While still a teenager Paz saw two collections of his poems published. Though he began studies in law he left his studies and began teaching in school for the peasant children of Merida. After winning numerous awards for his writing he was honored with the Nobel Prize for Literature for his, ‘El Laberinto da la Soledad’, a study of the Mexican identity. He died in 1998 at the age of 84. He remains a well-noted figure in literature throughout the world.
3. Alfonso Garcia Robles
Robles was born in 1911 and later studied at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. After his graduation he joined the Mexican foreign services. Robles was a delegate to the San Francisco Conference of 1945 that established the United Nations. Among other duties he served as ambassador to Brazil, state secretary to the ministry of foreign affairs, and ambassador to the United Nations 1971 to 1975. Along with Alva Myrdal of Sweden, Alfonso Garcia Robles was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1982.
4. Guadalupe Victoria
The first president of Mexico, Guadalupe Victoria was a republican who fought to overthrow the Emperor Iturbide. As president, he served a vital role in eliminating slavery and founding the Mexico’s Military Academy. His name has symbolic significance as ‘Victoria’ means victory and ‘Guadalupe’ is a symbol of gratitude towards and protection of what was known as ‘Our Lady of Guadalupe’. Guadalupe Victoria is still considered the greatest national hero of Mexico.
5. Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla
A Roman Catholic priest of Spanish descent, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla is regarded as the father of Mexico. He was a priest of the people working to improve the living standard of his parishioners and opening his home to impoverished Indians, Creole intellectuals, and other marginalized peoples. In 1810, Hildago declared New Spain’s independence from Spain, triggering the War of Independence. Though loved by his rebel forces, Hidalgo was no soldier and was executed by Spanish forces in 1811.
From Joe Gibbs: Do you have a passion and determination about your life? Are you focused on playing the full sixty minutes in the game of life? As a coach and race team owner, I’ve always emphasized a fast start to the season to instill confidence. Then I wanted the middle part of the season to set us up for a strong stretch run. I want to be consumed with storing up treasures in Heaven as I strive to finish well. Check out Tony Evan‘s Chapter on Purpose in Game Plan For Life for more direction on getting the most out of life.
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