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Birth
Simon Bolivar was born in Caracas, present Venezuela. He was born into a wealthy family. Unfortunately, both his parents died when he was at a young age. His mother was María de la Concepción Palacios y Blanco, and his father was Colonel Don Juan Vicente Bolívar y Ponte. Simon was also educated by two tutors. This event is important because he would grow up to give most of South America their freedom. (Hoobler 28) -
Washington D.C
The construction of Washington D.C. began in the year 1793. A French-born American engineer and designer Pierre Charles L’Enfant was chosen to plan the new capital city. The building was extensively damaged during the War of 1812 when British soldiers set the building on fire, but by 1817 a newly reconstructed White House welcomed Pres. James Monroe. The construction of Washington D.C was significant because it is the capitol of the United States. (Jeanne Mason Fogle) -
Rosetta Stone
In the year 1799, a French soldier discovers a black slab with ancient writing written on it near the town of Rosetta. The stone contained small parts of passages written in three different scripts, they were Greek, Egyptian hieroglyphics and Egyptian demotic. The three passages all meant the same thing, it was honoring the king of Egypt, Ptolemy V. The discovery of the Rosetta Stone was important because it helped up understand the dead language of hieroglyphics. (Rosetta Stone found) -
Beethoven's Symphony No. 1 in C Major
Beethoven’s first symphony was dedicated to Baron Gottfried Van Swieten, a patron of Beethoven. Beethoven’s first period of his career was defined by this symphony. This symphony appeared about a year or two before Beethoven had lost his hearing. This event is significant because it is the first of many on Beethoven’s amazing symphonies. (Gibbs) -
Marriage
At the age of 17, Bolivar went to Spain to continue his education. Because of his wealth, he was welcomed in court circles. Two years later, Bolivar met and married Maria Teresa del Toro. She died soon after returning to Caracas with him. This event was important because her death caused him to never marry again. (Hoobler 28) -
Joining the Resistance
In the year of 1807, Bolivar returned to Venezuela from Europe. During this same time, Napolean named Joseph Bonaparte King of Spain and its colonies, which included Venezuela. This caused the formation of a resistance group, which Bolivar joined. Bolivar joining the resistance was important because it helped Caracas gain their independence later on in the year 1810. (Simón Bolívar Biography) -
Congress Abolishes Slave Trade
An act was passed by the US Congress that prohibited any more slaves to be imported into the US. After the American Revolution, slave labor wasn’t crucial for the North’s economy, however for the South, cotton became a great industry which sharply increased slave labor in the South. The South already had a self sustaining population of slaves at this point. This event was important because it was the first of many countries to abolish the slave trade. (Congress abolishes the African slave trade) -
Magdalena Campaign
Simon Bolivar had also led the successful Magdalena Campaign. Spanish royalists were blocking traffic on the Magdalena River. This posed as a problem because Cartagena depended on it to gain supplies. Bolivar successfully led the revolutionary forces in the Magdalena Campaign against royalists and Spanish forces. This event was important because after it, the United Provinces were able to take control of Magdalena River. (Anirudh) -
Invading Venezuela
When Simon Bolivar finally returned to Venezuela, he began a campaign to wrest control of that country from the Spanish. He and his followers invaded Venezuela on May 14, 1813. This event is significant because it marked the beginning the of Bolivar's "Campana Admirable" (Admirable Campaign). This resulted in the formation of the Venezuelan Second Republic later that year. (Simón Bolívar Biography) -
The Defence of Fort McHenry
In the year 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote a poem that was named "The Defense of Fort McHenry." The poem was written after Key witnessed Fort McHenry being bombarded by the British during the War of 1812, Key was inspired by the lone U.S flag still flying over the fort after the bombardment. The poem being written is a significant event in U.S history because it will later on be turned into a song by John Stafford Smith and become the U.S national anthem on March 3, 1931. (history.com) -
Battle of New Orleans
Britain had planned a three pronged invasion of the United States. American forces had put down two of the invasions but now the British planned to invade New Orleans. Whats interesting about this battle is that it wasn't necessary, a treaty was already signed on December 24, 1814 in Ghent, Belgium that effectively ended the War of 1812, but news was too slow to get to the American forces. This event was significant because it was the last battle in the War of 1812. (Battle of New Orleans) -
Carta de Jamaica
Simon Bolivar wrote the Carta de Jamaica which analyzed the fall of the Second Republic of Venezuela. It put forward points supporting Spanish America's decision for independence. It also called for the cooperation of Europe in liberating Latin American people. This letter was important because it became one of the greatest founding documents of Latin American history. (Anirudh) -
Battle of Boyaca
On August 7th, 1819, Simon Bolivar led one of the most daring attacks in military history (learnodo-newtonic.com). Bolivar's ragged, starving men surprised and defeated the Spaniards at the Battle of Boyaca to take back New Granada. This event was important because it was the turning point in the independence struggle in the north. Within two years, Venezuela, Columbia, and Ecuador were all freed from Spanish rule. (Hoobler 28) -
Meeting Jose de San Martin
Simon Bolivar met Jose de San Martin for the first time to discuss what kind of government would replace the Spanish viceroys. These two men were the most important figures in South America. Jose de San Martin had liberated southern South America and Simon Bolivar had liberated the north. The two men disagreed on the future they wanted for South America. This event was important because after this, Jose de San Martin retired from active service in the wars of liberation. (Hoobler 26) -
Declaring Self as Dictator
Simon Bolivar declared himself dictator in the year 1828 as a temporary measure. He did this because he wanted to make a union of stated similar to the USA but faced opposition from factions in Gran Columbia. In 1830, Bolivar resigned his post and made plans to sail for exile in Europe. This event was important because during September of 1828, Bolivar had to escape an assassination attempt with help from his mistress and fellow revolutionary Manuela Saenz. (Simón Bolívar Biography) -
Death
Simon Bolivar died near Santa Marta, Columbia. He had died of tuberculosis and had asked to be buried in his home city of Caracas. There were so many political enemies that his family feared for the safety of his remains. His body was finally taken home in 1842. His death was important because he left as an significant revolutionary figure and he is a man that people yearning for change should study and praise. (Great Lives From History)
