In a pivotal moment of the Mexican Revolution, Emiliano Zapata was murdered by government forces. Zapata had been a key figure in the struggle for land and rights for the rural peasantry, famously advocating for the slogan 'Tierra y Libertad' (Land and Liberty). He led a formidable liberation army, the Zapatistas, which aimed to dismantle the power of the wealthy landowners and redistribute land to the landless peasants. His vision was grounded in a commitment to social justice and agrarian reform, making him a symbol of resistance against oppression.

On April 10, government forces executed a calculated ambush against Zapata in the village of Chinameca, more specifically, in the state of Morelos. Under the direction of General Pablo González, troops lured Zapata into a trap during a meeting. As he approached, a squad of soldiers opened fire, killing him immediately. Zapata's assassination dealt a severe blow to the revolutionary movement he represented, yet paradoxically, it further solidified his legacy as a martyr for agrarian reform and peasant rights.

Following his death, Zapata became an enduring symbol of the broader struggles faced by the Mexican poor and disenfranchised. Though he was gone, his ideals survived, inspiring future generations of activists and revolutionaries who sought to pursue the goals he championed. The impact of his assassination reverberated throughout Mexico, leading to changes in revolutionary dynamics and adjustments in the government’s approach to agrarian issues and social policies.