The birthday of Simon Bolivar is recognised annually on July 24 in Venezuela. The holiday commemorates the life and accomplishments of South America’s most potent leader.
Bolivar, born in 1783, was renowned for assisting nations in gaining independence from Spanish control. His endeavours earned him the title of ‘El Libertador’ or ‘The Liberator.’
The background of Simón Bolivar’s Birthday
In 1783, Simon Bolivar was born in Caracas to a powerful and affluent family. Before he turned 10, he lost both of his parents, and as a result, he was placed under the supervision of several tutors. Don Simón Rodrguez, one of Bolivar’s tutors, instilled in him the concepts of liberty, enlightenment, and freedom, which led him to proclaim himself a staunch democrat in his later years. Unfortunately, when Bolivar was 14 years old, Rodrguez had to flee the country. Bolvar was sent to Europe to conclude his education two years later.
In 1802, while residing in Spain, Bolivar wed the daughter of a Spanish nobleman. He returned with his young fiancée to Caracas. However, less than a year later, his wife passed away due to yellow fever. Bolivar spent several years travelling across Europe to rehabilitate from his loss. In the course of his travels, he witnessed Napoleon Bonaparte proclaim himself Emperor of France in Paris and then King of Italy in Milan. At this time, Bolivar vowed to liberate Venezuela from Spanish authority.
By 1807, Bolivar had returned home, but he soon realised that he was too anxious for change, so he waited. When Napoleon replaced Spain’s overlords with his brother, however, Venezuelan creoles sought to establish their own government. In 1810, the creoles deposed the Venezuelan captain-general. Bolivar was at the vanguard of the independence movement. He travelled to Britain to advocate for Venezuela’s right to self-government, and upon his return in 1811, he helped secure a congress of Venezuelan provinces’ declaration of independence. The opposition of pro-Spanish Royalists to the motion ultimately led to Bolivar’s exile.
Bolivar returned to Venezuela in 1917, formed a republic in 1917, liberated New Garanda in 1819, Panama in 1921, Ecuador in 1822, and Peru two years later after discovering allies in Haiti during his exile. These nations were merged into a single republic known as Gran Colombia. Unfortunately, he was unable to maintain the unity of the republic and was removed from office in 1930.
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5 UNIQUE FACTS ABOUT SIMON BOLIVAR
Simon Bolvar received an affluent upbringing and an outstanding education.
Bolvar did not win every conflict, but he won more than he lost.
After the death of his wife, Bolvar never remarried.
Bolívar had tuberculosis.
On the 17th of December, 1830, Simón Bolvar died at the age of 47.
SIMÓN BOLIVAR’S BIRTHDAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | July 24 | Monday |
2024 | July 24 | Wednesday |
2025 | July 24 | Thursday |
2026 | July 24 | Friday |
2027 | July 24 | Saturday |