The New York Times reported on October 5, 1860, the execution of American filibuster William Walker in Honduras. Walker, a millionaire who invaded several Latin American countries with a private army, was captured, tried, and sentenced to death for his actions.
During his lifetime, Walker seized power in Nicaragua, where he established English as the official language, changed the national flag, and revoked the liberation of slaves. Ousted from the presidency, he returned to the United States with hero status, only to return to Honduras and face his demise.
Despite his controversial actions, experts believe Walker’s invasions helped forge a sense of pride and a Latin American identity. Born in Tennessee in 1824, Walker studied medicine, journalism, and law before becoming a filibuster. He saw military expeditions as an adventure and believed in America’s ‘Manifest Destiny’ to annex the rest of the continent.
The execution of William Walker marks the end of a tumultuous chapter in Latin American history, where his legacy continues to shape the region’s identity.