Hispanic Contributions to American Independence

As Hispanic Heritage Month draws to a close, it is worth remembering the contributions that Hispanics have made to American independence. “Many Americans of Hispanic origin have received deserved praise,” Alejandro Chafuen of the Atlas Society writes in Forbes. “A major public Washington, D.C. square and statue is dedicated to David G. Farragut (1801-1870), a Hispanic American.”

“Farragut was the son of Jordi Farragut (1755-1817), born in Minorca, Spain. David Farragut became the first U.S. admiral. He is remembered for a great many things, including his call of ‘Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead’ at the Battle of Mobile Bay, where he led the United States into victory. Jordi also deserves a statue. He joined the American Revolutionary War, and fought with the Continental infantry in several battles as well as joining the South Carolina Navy as a lieutenant.”

“Bernardo de Gálvez (1746-1786), Governor of Louisiana in 1777, helped the American rebels not only by selling them munitions but also by letting them use his territory and the port of New Orleans for their efforts. Gálvez died at a young age in Mexico but left behind an important legacy: the city of Galveston was named after him. Another Hispanic American, Juan Bautista de Anza (1736-1778), was Governor of New Mexico in 1776. But before he became governor, Bautista de Anza made a long journey from Mexico to what is today Northern California, and his efforts helped establish the first European settlements in Monterey, San Francisco, and San Jose.”

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