Today marks the 241st anniversary of the birth of Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar, also known widely as "The Liberator," or "El Libertador" in Spanish. He was born in Caracas, which of course now is the capital city of Venezuela.
Bolivar was from what is modern day Venezuela, but was arguably the most prominent single figure in Latin American history, helping to liberate a number of countries from Spanish rule in the early 19th century. The modern day nations of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama, and Bolivia all harken back to Bolivar's efforts in the early 19th century for when they gained their independence from Spanish colonial rule. He won military victories and used often brilliant strategies in helping to defeat Spanish colonial forces to win independence for what turned out to be numerous nations in South America.
No longer sure where I heard or read this description, but I remember one person suggesting that Bolivar was kind of a cross between Washington and Napoleon. That description felt like it fit, and never quite left my mind whenever I think about Bolivar. He always seemed like a mixture of those two historical figures, having liberated American territories from European colonial rule, like Washington, yet also having military conquests and, ultimately, having turned into a strongman ruler, much like Napoleon Bonaparte.
After helping Latin America to achieve independence, he officially became the president for the nations of Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia, which is actually named after him. Venezuela's currency, the bolivar, is also named after him.
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