The Spanish governor of the Louisiana Territory, Bernardo de Gálvez is an unsung hero who greatly contributed to the winning of the American Revolution. General Gálvez launched brilliant campaigns against the British in Louisiana and West Florida by organizing a military force of regular troops, militia, volunteers, and a few Americans. His victories prevented the British from gaining access to the strategically located Mississippi River Valley. The city of Galveston, TX, is named in his honor.

After centuries of Spanish rule, many colonies began to seek independence from Spain in the early 19th century. Influenced by the Enlightenment and desiring self-rule, revolutions spread across Central and South America. Known as El Libertador (the Liberator), Simón Bolívar (1783-1830), was considered one of the greatest military figures in South American history. His victories brought independence to six present-day nations; Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, and Venezuela.

Born in 1788 in Cuba, Padre Félix Varela quickly distinguished himself as a great educator. Varela did something unusual for his time - he taught and defended the principle of giving women the same education as men. In the early 1820s, Padre Félix Varela helped poor minorities living in New York City, founding nurseries and orphanages for the children of poor widows, as well as the first Spanish newspaper in the US. He was named Vicar General of the New York diocese of the Roman Catholic Church.

In the early 19th c., Mexicans were discussing how to revolt against Spain. Father Hidalgo, the leader of a revolutionary group, heard that the government had ordered his arrest. In response, he rang the church bell on the night of Sept. 15, 1810, calling his congregation to church. When the people arrived, he gave a speech now called Grito de Dolores. In it he said, “Viva Mexico!” and “Viva la independencia!”; words still remembered and repeated at Mexican Independence Day celebrations.

Cinco de Mayo marks the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. On that day during the French occupation of Mexico, General Zaragoza and his troops were victorious over the greatest military power in the world at that time. Mexicans' pride, nationalism, and determination to defend Mexico’s sovereignty were boosted. The phrase “Viva el Cinco de Mayo!” inspired increasing numbers of Mexicans to aid their country during the war lasting from 1863 to 1867.

Admiral David G. Farragut was a naval commander for the North during the Civil War. His father, a Spaniard, came to America in 1776 and fought for the US during the American Revolution and the War of 1812. When Virginia seceded from the Union in 1861, Navy Captain Farragut moved his family north to Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. In 1862 he was chosen to command a fifty-ship expedition to capture New Orleans. His success earned him a place as one of America’s most celebrated Civil War heroes.

John Philip Sousa, known as the “March King,” is among the most famous American composers and conductors. At six, he studied several musical instruments, including violin and trombone. His father Antonio, who was born in Spain, played trombone in the US Marine Band. In 1867, Sousa’s father enlisted him in the Marines as an apprentice, at 13. By 1880 he led the Marine Band. After two successful tours he resigned, forming his own civilian band. On 1896 he composed “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”

After Puerto Ricans began to press for independence, Spain, in 1897, granted the island broad powers of self-government. During the Spanish-American War of 1898, American troops invaded the island, and Spain ceded it to the US. Puerto Rico remains an unincorporated US territory. Puerto Ricans were granted American citizenship in 1917; were permitted to elect a governor, beginning in 1948; and now fully administer their internal affairs under a constitution approved by the US Congress in 1952.

Best known for striking self-portraits, Mexican painter Frida Kahlo was influenced by pre-Columbian art and Mexican folk art. Her works embody the pride of Mexico’s national patriotic movement, called Mexicanidad, that pulsed throughout the country following the Mexican Revolution of the early 20th century. This sense of Mexican patriotism in Kahlo’s work has influenced Chicana artists in the US. Since the mid-70s, she has been a role model in the Mexican-American and feminist communities.

One of Puerto Rico’s most celebrated poets, Julia de Burgos was honored with a stamp in the Literary Arts series in 2010. A revolutionary writer, thinker, and activist, de Burgos wrote more than 200 poems that probe issues of love, feminism, and political and personal freedom.