On September 13, 1847, during the war with the United States, the Castle of Chapultepec fell. Mexico honors six young defenders as the Niños Héroes, the Child Heroes: Juan de la Barrera, Juan Escutia, Agustín Melgar, Fernando Montes de Oca, Vicente Suárez and Francisco Márquez. In the best-known story, Escutia wrapped himself in the flag and jumped from the castle.
The historian Alejandro Rosas disputes this story. He told Chilango: “Escutia no murió por un salto ni envuelto en una bandera” (Escutia did not die from a jump or wrapped in a flag).