It's September 13th. 🇲🇽 On this day in 1847, six Mexican military cadets died in the defense of Mexico City during the Battle of Chapultepec, one of the last major battles of the Mexican–American War. At the time of the US invasion, Chapultepec Castle served as the Mexican Military Academy. Its troops and cadets were commanded by General Nicolás Bravo. Its 800 Mexican defenders, which included between 47 and a few hundred cadets, were greatly outnumbered by General Winfield Scott's 7,000 troops. After about two hours of fighting, General Bravo ordered retreat, but six cadets refused to fall back and fought to the death. Legend has it that the last of the six, Juan Escutia, leapt from the castle wrapped in the Mexican flag to prevent the enemy from capturing it. The day of their martyrdom is now celebrated in Mexico as a civic holiday to honor the cadets' sacrifice.

In 1947, US President Harry S. Truman placed a wreath at the Obelisco a los Niños Héroes, a monument in Mexico City commemorating the cadets, and stood for a moment in silent reverence. Asked by American reporters why he had gone to the monument, Truman said, "Brave men don't belong to any one country. I respect bravery wherever I see it."