Benito Juárez

Hello! My name is Benito Juárez, and I want to share my story with you. I was born in a small village called San Pablo Guelatao, in the beautiful mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico, on March 21st, 1806. My family was Zapotec, one of the Indigenous peoples of Mexico, and at home, we spoke the Zapotec language. Sadly, my parents passed away when I was only three years old, so my grandparents and then my uncle raised me. I spent my early days working as a shepherd, watching over our sheep in the mountains. But in my heart, I had a big dream: I wanted to learn to read and write and see the bigger world outside my village.

When I was 12 years old, around the year 1818, I decided to follow my dream. I walked for days to get to the big city of Oaxaca. It was a difficult journey, and when I arrived, I didn't know anyone and couldn't speak Spanish very well. A kind man named Antonio Salanueva gave me a home and a job, and he saw how much I wanted to learn. He helped me go to school, and I studied very hard. At first, I studied to become a priest, but I soon realized my true passion was for justice and the law. I switched my studies and, in 1834, I proudly graduated with a law degree from the Institute of Arts and Sciences. I learned that education was the most powerful tool to help people and change the world for the better.

As a lawyer, I wanted to help people who were treated unfairly, especially Indigenous people like me. My work in law soon led me into politics. I was elected to the city council, then became a judge, and in 1847, I was elected governor of my home state, Oaxaca. As governor, I worked to build new schools and roads and to make sure the government was honest. During this time, in 1843, I married a wonderful woman named Margarita Maza. She was my partner and supported me through all the challenges we would face together. I truly believed that everyone, no matter if they were rich or poor, should have the same rights and opportunities.

My ideas about equality were not popular with everyone, especially those in power. A powerful leader named Antonio López de Santa Anna had me sent away from Mexico in 1853 because he disagreed with my beliefs. But I never gave up on my country. I returned in 1855 and helped create new laws called the Reform Laws, which aimed to make Mexico a more modern and fair nation. This led to a difficult time called the Reform War. In 1858, I became the president of Mexico, but I had to lead the country through this war and another huge challenge. In 1862, the country of France invaded Mexico. On May 5th, 1862, our brave Mexican army won an amazing victory against the French at the Battle of Puebla, a day now celebrated as Cinco de Mayo. The French army was stronger, though, and I had to lead the government while moving through different parts of the country for several years, but we never surrendered.

After years of struggle, we finally forced the French to leave in 1867, and Mexico was free and independent once more. I continued to serve as president, working to unite the country and build a better future based on laws and education. I lived to be 66 years old and passed away in 1872. Today, people in Mexico remember me as a national hero who defended our country's freedom. I am remembered for my belief in democracy and for a famous saying of mine: 'Among individuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others is peace.' I hope my story shows you that no matter where you come from, with determination and a belief in justice, you can help make the world a better place.