I had heard of Pancho Villa, but I just learned that on this date in1916, several hundred Mexican soldiers crossed into Columbus, New Mexico. Seventeen Americans were killed, and the center of town was burned. President Wilson sent the U.S. army into Mexico to capture Villa dead or alive. At the end of everything, Villa was ultimatelt assassinated at his ranch in Mexico years later.
For more info:
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pancho-villa-raids-us
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/pancho-villa-attacks-columbus-new-mexico
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=1916%20-%20general%20francisco%20%22pancho%22%20villa%20leads%20mexican%20band%20raid%20on%20columbus%2C%20new%20mexico%2C%20usa%20(17%20killed).&source=web&cd=10&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CEQQFjAJ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cabq.gov%2Fparksandrecreation%2Fparks%2Fveterans-memorial-park%2Fdocuments%2FWWIEraFromANewMexicanPerspective.pdf&ei=AZccU_q-FdfnoAS1t4KYCw&usg=AFQjCNHSIesb5RNq-6PgSahA-rCnwck8bA&sig2=5ybiZrxBpXiCElxQaUAyjw&bvm=bv.62578216,d.cGU