Biography

Emperor of Mexico. Was a former army general and first Emperor of the Empire of Mexico. After securing Mexico's independence in 1821, he declared himself Emperor of the new country. After being exiled by forces who favored a Republic style government, he later returned to Mexico with his wife and two of his children to reclaim his throne. He was captured by Republican forces and executed by firing squad in the town of Padilla in the State of Tamaulipas and buried in the parish church. His ashes were transferred to Mexico City's Cathedral in 1838 and finally laid to rest permanently in the Cathedral's Chapel of San Felipe de Jesús on October 27, 1839 (which also happened to be 18th anniversary of his successful march into Mexico City after the defeat of Spanish forces during the Mexican War of Independence). His wife and children spent their final years living in exile in the neighboring United States, residing primarily in Philadelphia. He was one of only two Emperors (the other being the French-imposed Emperor Maximilian I) to have served in this role in Mexico's history. He is also credited as the designer of Mexico's national flag.