Agustín de Iturbide (emperor)

Agustín de Iturbide was a Mexican military leader and statesman who played a key role in Mexico's independence from Spain. In 1821, he declared himself Emperor Agustín I, unifying nationalist forces and establishing the First Mexican Empire. His rule was brief, lasting less than a year, due to political disagreements and regional conflicts. Despite his short reign, Iturbide's actions significantly shaped Mexico's early independence history, and he remains a controversial figure—considered a hero by some for independence efforts and a monarchist by others for his imperial ambitions.