Battle of San Jacinto

The **Battle of San Jacinto** is a significant historical event in Nicaragua, commemorated annually on **September 14**. It marks a pivotal moment in Nicaragua's struggle for independence and sovereignty. The battle took place in **1856** during the **National War** (Guerra Nacional), when Nicaraguan forces, led by General **José Dolores Estrada**, successfully defended the country against an invasion by **William Walker**, an American filibuster who sought to take control of Nicaragua and establish a pro-slavery regime. The battle occurred at the **Hacienda San Jacinto**, a small farm north of Managua. Despite being outnumbered, the Nicaraguan troops, with the help of local farmers and indigenous fighters, used guerrilla tactics to defeat Walker's forces. A key moment in the battle was the heroic action of **Andrés Castro**, a Nicaraguan soldier who famously killed an enemy soldier with a rock after running out of ammunition. The victory at San Jacinto was a turning point in the National War, bolstering Nicaraguan morale and contributing to the eventual expulsion of Walker from Central America. Today, the battle is celebrated as a symbol of national pride, courage, and resistance against foreign intervention. Schools, government institutions, and communities across Nicaragua hold ceremonies, parades, and cultural events to honor the bravery of those who fought for the nation's freedom.