Jesús García

November 7, 1907 - On this day a railroad engineer named Jesús García was on a train making a stop in the town of Nacozari in Mexico. García noticed some smoke coming from the roof of one of that cars that happened to loaded with dynamite. Realizing that an explosion could wipe out the entire mining town, he immediately swung into action and drove the train full-steam for 6 kilometers.

The flames of the burning train streaked along the railroad tracks as García kept the engine stoked. At the last minute he ordered his fireman to jump. That man survived, but García and 12 other railwaymen would die when the dynamite finally exploded.

García is celebrated as a national hero in Mexico. Many streets and schools are named after him.