A Legend Based on a Legend
The vigilante character Zorro was first introduced into popular culture by writer Johnston McCulley in 1919, and he has lived on in infamy ever since. Zorro has reached legendary status, with tons of shows and movies based on his adventures. But it’s a little-known fact that Zorro is based on another legendary character from history.
Zorro is based on real-life Robin Hood figure Joaquin Murrieta, who was a Mexican vigilante in Alta California during the 1850s. Although Murrieta was a real man, the lines between fact and fiction have blurred over the decades and it’s unclear how many of his adventures actually happened. Either way, Murrieta is a folk hero who was out for revenge against the rich after his life was destroyed by Western forces. He might actually be cooler than his more famous, fictional counterpart.