Father Miguel Hidalgo’s admirers–or maybe his enemies–nicknamed him “El Zorro” (the fox). Though Hidalgo was not the inspiration for the fictional hero of that name (who supposedly lived in California), the true “Zorro” may be even more legendary.
Father Hidalgo, a Mexican priest, lead the people of Mexico in a struggle for independence from Spain. If George Washington is the Father of the United States and Stephen F. Austin is the Father of Texas, Miguel Hidalgo is the Father of Mexico.
In 1829 the Texas colonial fortress, La Bahia, was renamed Goliad in honor of Father Hidalgo. The name Goliad is an acronym of the name Hidalgo. (An acronym is a word that rearranges the letters of one word to form another.) True, the “H” is missing, but in Spanish that letter is silent anyway.
We should be glad, I suppose, that the people who renamed La Bahia after Father Hidalgo did not use his full name– Miguel Gregorio Antonio Ignacio Hidalgo y Costilla y Gallaga Mondarte Villasenor.
Teaching Tip: If someone decided to name a landmark after you, can you rearrange the letters of your name to give them some suggestions?
If you come up with something clever, you’re welcome to leave a comment!
