Emiliano Zapata was born in the village of San Miguel Anencuilco in the state of Morelos on August 8, 1879. The son of a “Strong farmer”, Zapata grew up to become the most famous leader of the Mexican Revolution. Elected leader of his village in 1909, Zapata began recruiting an insurgent army even before the Revolution began in 1910. The Zapatistas demanded “Tierra y Libertad” - Land and Freedom - for their people. Lured to a meeting with government troops, he was gunned down on April 10, 1919. Zapata fought against large landlords and big businesses running a corrupt and repressive régime that left the peasants landless and exploited. Zapata’s memory, like his ghost, rides on in Mexico. People all over the world have risen up against oppression, inspired by Zapata’s anthem: “It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees!”