Agustín de Iturbide

Agustín de Iturbide (Spanish pronunciation: [aɣusˈtin de ituɾˈbiðe] ^ⓘ; 27 September 1783 – 19 July 1824), full name Agustín Cosme Damián de Iturbide y Arámburu and later known as Emperor Agustín I of Mexico, was an officer in the royal Spanish army. During the Mexican War of Independence he initially fought insurgent forces rebelling against the Spanish crown before changing sides in 1820 and leading a coalition of former royalists and long-time insurgents under his Plan of Iguala. The combined forces under Iturbide brought about Mexican independence in September 1821. After securing the secession of Mexico from Spain, Iturbide was proclaimed president of the Regency in 1821; a year later, he was proclaimed Emperor, reigning from 19 May 1822 to 19 March 1823, when he abdicated. In May 1823 he went into exile in Europe. When he returned to Mexico in July 1824, he was arrested and executed.