Name Pedro de | ||
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Preceded by Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna Succeeded by Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna Preceded by Manuel de la Pena y Pena Succeeded by Manuel de la Pena y Pena Born 20 May 1795
Huichapan, Hidalgo, Mexico ( 1795-05-20 ) Died 21 March 1854(1854-03-21) (aged 58)
Mexico City, Mexico | ||
Pedro Bernardino María de Anaya (20 May 1795 – 21 March 1854) was a military officer who served twice as interim president of Mexico from 1847 to 1848. He also played an important role during the Mexican-American War.
Biography
He was born on 20 May 1795 in San Mateo de Huichapan, a town located in the modern-day state of Hidalgo. His parents were Pedro José Anaya y Maldonado and María Antonia de Álvarez, both Spaniards. He started his military career in the Royal Army in 1810, as a cadet in the company of Tres Villas. In June 1821 he joined the rebel army fighting for independence.
In 1847, after the victory of the invading U.S. Army in the Battle of Padierna (also known as the Battle of Contreras), the Mexican battalions of Independencia and Bravo were attacked in the convent of Santa María de Churubusco. This confrontation is known as the Battle of Churubusco, and the Mexican army was bravely commanded by Pedro María Anaya. When General Anaya was asked by General Twiggs to surrender his ammunition after the end of the battle, he was reputed to have replied, "If I had any ammunition, you would not be here".
The battle was important not only because the American victory made it possible for them to win the Mexican-American War; it also was important because of the historical participation of the Saint Patrick's Battalion.
Today the nearest metro station from the Santa María de Churubusco convent in Mexico City is called "Metro General Anaya". The General Anaya metro station in Monterrey is also named after Pedro María Anaya.