Juan Santamaría Rodríguez was a drummer in the Costa Rican army, officially recognized as the national hero of his country for his actions in the 1856 Second Battle of Rivas, in the Filibuster War. He died in the battle carrying a torch he used to light the enemy stronghold on fire, securing a victory for Costa Rica against American mercenary William Walker and his forces. Thirty five years after his death, he began to be idolized and was used as a propaganda tool to inspire Costa Rican nationalism. A national holiday in Costa Rica, Juan Santamaría Day, is held annually on April 11 to commemorate his death.
Statue of Juan Santamaría in Alajuela.
A depiction of the Second Battle of Rivas under the statue of Santamaría in Alajuela
Another feature of the statue in Alajuela depicting Santamaría's death.
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO).
The Second Battle of Rivas occurred on 11 April 1856 between Costa Rican militia under General Juan Rafael Mora Porras and the Nicaraguan forces of American mercenary William Walker. The lesser known First Battle of Rivas took place on the 29 June 1855 between Walker's forces and the forces of the Chamorro government of Nicaragua.
1858 interpretation by Elbert Price in his book "The Battle Roll"
Scene in the Battle of Rivas, Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper
Juan Santamaria - The Burning of the Inn (1896), painting by Costa Rican artist Enrique Echandi
