Pancho Villa

Francisco "Pancho" Villa was a Mexican revolutionary and general in the Mexican Revolution. He was a key figure in the revolutionary movement that forced out President Porfirio Díaz and brought Francisco I. Madero to power in 1911. When Madero was ousted by a coup led by General Victoriano Huerta in February 1913, Villa joined the anti-Huerta forces in the Constitutionalist Army led by Venustiano Carranza. After the defeat and exile of Huerta in July 1914, Villa broke with Carranza. Villa dominated the meeting of revolutionary generals that excluded Carranza and helped create a coalition government. Emiliano Zapata and Villa became formal allies in this period. Like Zapata, Villa was strongly in favor of land reform, but did not implement it when he had power. At the height of his power and popularity in late 1914 and early 1915, the U.S. considered recognizing Villa as Mexico's legitimate authority.

5 June 1878

Born on the same birth day (5 June): Abraham Viruthakulangara • Alessandro Salvi • Alfie Turcotte • Antonio García (racing driver) • Claire Fox • Dean Amadon • Jeremy Abbott • Joazhiño Arroe • June 5 • Margaret of Valois, Duchess of Berry • Mike Fisher (ice hockey) • Ninja (gamer) • Roger Tuivasa-Sheck • Sandrine Piau • Tom Evans (musician) • Yves Blais

Born in the same month (June 1878): Evan Roberts (minister) • John Masefield • Leopold Löwenheim • Léon Thiébaut • Margaret Abbott • Margarito Bautista