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Rubén Darío (Félix Rubén García Sarmiento)
(1867–1916) poet
Darío was a child prodigy who learned French simply by reading it. His early works brought him fame; he even appeared before the Nicaraguan president at age 14. He went on to be the major example of a movement called modernism and introduced new meters and syntax into Spanish literature. He also became a diplomat in Europe. -
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Augusto César Sandino
(1895–1934) revolutionary
Sandino led a group of poor Nicaraguans in a guerrilla resistance against U.S. forces who were occupying the country in order to support a pro-American government. Although he was later killed on the orders of President Somoza, his actions were an inspiration for generations of revolutionaries. The group that overthrew the government in 1978 took their name, “Sandinistas,” from him. -
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Anastasio Somoza García
(1896–1956) dictator
Somoza gained power as a military leader and went on to become a powerful dictator who controlled the Nicaraguan government from 1936 until his assassination in 1956. Somoza made some improvements to the economy but restricted rights and assassinated political opponents. After his own death, his sons ruled until the revolution of 1978. -
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Ernesto Cardenal
(1925–) poet
Ernesto Cardenal was ordained a Catholic priest before becoming one of the most influential figures in Nicaraguan culture. He became a theologian of the revolution against Somoza by publishing theological works supporting the cause. He also published many works of politically charged poetry. After the revolution, he was appointed minister of culture. -
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Violeta Barrios de Chamorro
(1929–) president
Violeta Barrios de Chamorro was the wife of a newspaper publisher who was killed for his opposition to Somoza. After his death she briefly joined the opposition led by Sandino, only to later establish her own movement. In 1990, she became the first woman president of a Central American country. She devoted her administration to national unification. -
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Sergio Ramírez Mercado
(1942—) born in Masatepe during 1942, has become known as a great writer and intellectual. He also served as vice-president from 1984 to 1990 and played an important role in the Government Junta of National Reconstruction. His first book called “Cuentos” was published in 1963. Sergio Ramírez began to led the “Group of Twelve” in 1977. This was a group of important people - mostly business people, intellectuals, priests and so on - who supported the FSLN (Frente Sandinist). -
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Bianca Jagger
(1945—) is probably one of the best known famous Nicaraguans as she is the ex-wife of Mick Jagger from the Rolling Stones. Her full name at birth was Bianca Perez Morena De Macias. During the 1990's she became known as an activist for social and environmental issues. Bianca Jagger often acted as a spokesperson for Amnesty International. -
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Gioconda Belli
(1948–) writer, political activist
Belli was born in Managua, Nicaragua, in 1948. Her love of writing led her to publish her first poems in a respected cultural journal, La Prensa Literaria, as a 22-year-old. The boldness and sensuality of her work shocked many and established her as a controversial figure from the beginning of her career. In the 1970s, Belli became involved in the Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua. -
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Denis Martinez
(1955–) athlete
Born in Granada, Nicaragua, Denis Martinez became the first Nicaraguan to play Major League Baseball. His nickname on the field was El Presidente (The President). Martinez began his career with the Baltimore Orioles in 1976 and was then traded to the Montreal Expos. He went on to play for the Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners, and Atlanta Braves. A bout with alcoholism in the 1980s nearly ended his career, but he was able to quit and continue pursuing his dreams in baseball. -
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Arlen Siu
(1955—)is famed as one of the first martyrs during the Revolution. She was born in Jinotepe of a Chinese father and Nicaraguan mother. As a teenager she became an avid follower of Sandinistas. By the time she joined the revolutionaries she had become known nationally as a songwriter, guitarist and singer. She died at the tender age of 20 during and ambush in 1972.