After Costa Rican forces ousted the mercenary army led by William Walker from Guanacaste's Hacienda Santa Rosa on March 20, 1856, the filibusters were chased back across the border into Nicaragua, where the Costa Ricans clashed again with the mercenaries in a decisive battle in the town of Rivas on April 11, 1856. It was during this encounter that Costa Rica's only National War Hero (at least the only Costa Rican to have a national holiday declared in his honor), Juan Santamaría, gained his martyrdom. A young man from the town of Alajuela, Juan was a drummer boy in the country's impromptu militia, but his moment of bravery came when the commanding officer asked for a volunteer to set fire to El Mesón de Guerra —the building the filibusters had made their stronghold. Juan, torch in hand, fulfilled his patriotic duty, but it cost him his life. A mercenary is a soldier who fights, or engages in warfare primarily for private gain, usually with little regard for ideological, national or political considerations. ... A nations army is its military, or more specifically, all of its land forces. ... William Walker William Walker (May 8, 1824 - September 12, 1860) was a U.S. physician, lawyer, journalist, adventurer, and soldier of fortune who attempted to conquer several Latin American countries in the mid-19th century. ... Guanacaste is a province of Costa Rica. ... March 20 is the 79th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (80th in Leap years). ... 1856 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... For the legislative tactic, see filibuster (legislative tactic). ... The Battle of Waterloo by William Sadler. ... Rivas, a city in southern western Nicaragua, capital of the Department of Rivas. ... April 11 is the 101st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (102nd in leap years). ... An act of war - the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan during World War II War is a state of widespread conflict between states, organisations, or relatively large groups of people, which is characterised by the use of violent, physical force between combatants or upon civilians. ... Sir Galahad, a hero of Arthurian legend In many myths and folk tales, a hero is a man or woman (the latter often called a heroine), traditionally the protagonist of a story, legend or saga, who commonly possesses abilities or character far greater than that of a typical person, which... Juan Santamaría (August 29, 1831 - April 11, 1856), is officially recognized as the national hero of the Republic of Costa Rica. ... Historically, a martyr is a person who dies for his or her religious faith. ... Alajuela is the capital city of Costa Ricas Alajuela province. ... A drummer is a musician who plays the drums, particularly the drum kit, marching percussion, or hand drums. ... A militia is a group of citizens organized to provide paramilitary service. ... Stronghold is a commercial version of Apache Web Server, distributed by RedHat Inc. ... This article is about torches as portable fire sources. ...

See also

• Battle of Santa Rosa