On This Day

Jose Maria Figueres elected President of Costa Rica

José María Figueres Olsen is a Costa Rican businessman and politician, who served as President of Costa Rica from 1994 to 1998.

José María Figueres Olsen is a Costa Rican businessman and politician, who served as President of Costa Rica from 1994 to 1998. He also ran for president in the 2022 presidential election but was defeated by Rodrigo Chaves.

Figueres started his career as an engineer working in agribusiness. After a decade, he entered public service as Minister of Foreign Trade and then Minister of Agriculture. In 1994, he was elected President of Costa Rica, as the nation's youngest elected president of the 20th century (Alfredo Gonzalez Flores became president in 1914 at the age of 36, however he was not elected directly, as he was appointed by the National Assembly).

Historical Significance

José María Figueres Olsen is a Costa Rican businessman and politician, who served as President of Costa Rica from 1994 to 1998.

Events Before

  1. Bryson Tiller is born

    Bryson Tiller musician, known for american singer, was born on 1993-01-02. Bryson Djuan Tiller is an American R&B singer and rapper.

  2. "Farewell My Concubine," directed by Chen Kaige from a novel by Lilian Lee, starring Leslie Cheung, Zhang Fengyi, and Go

    "Farewell My Concubine," directed by Chen Kaige from a novel by Lilian Lee, starring Leslie Cheung, Zhang Fengyi, and Gong Li, premieres in Hong Kong (wins Cannes Palme d'Or 1993)

  3. Brian Lara scores his maiden Test century with 277 for the West Indies v Australia in drawn 3rd Test at the Sydney Crick

    Brian Lara scores his maiden Test century with 277 for the West Indies v Australia in drawn 3rd Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground

  4. Michael Jordan's game-high 35 points leads Chicago Bulls to a 120-95 win over Milwaukee Bucks, giving him exactly 20,000

    Michael Jordan's game-high 35 points leads Chicago Bulls to a 120-95 win over Milwaukee Bucks, giving him exactly 20,000 points in the 620th game of his NBA career, the second-fastest to reach this milestone after Wilt Chamberlain (499)

  5. US Senator Mitch McConnell (51) weds businesswoman Elaine Chao (39)

    US Senator Mitch McConnell (51) weds businesswoman Elaine Chao (39)

Events After

  1. Poppy [Moriah Rose Pereira] is born

    Poppy [Moriah Rose Pereira] is born

  2. Centennial of the Canadian Mounties' presence in Canada's Yukon Territory

    Centennial of the Canadian Mounties' presence in Canada's Yukon Territory

  3. Camilla Parker Bowles (46) and her husband retired Army Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles(55) divorce, after 21 years of ma

    Camilla Parker Bowles (46) and her husband retired Army Brigadier Andrew Parker Bowles(55) divorce, after 21 years of marriage

  4. "Back for Good" single released by British boy band Take That, reaches No. 1 in 31 countries

    Take That are an English pop group formed in Manchester in 1990. The group currently consists of Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen.

  5. American actress Julia Roberts (27) and American singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett (37) divorce after less than 2 years of m

    American actress Julia Roberts (27) and American singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett (37) divorce after less than 2 years of marriage

More from the 1990s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on February 6, 1994?
José María Figueres Olsen is a Costa Rican businessman and politician, who served as President of Costa Rica from 1994 to 1998. He also ran for president in the 2022 presidential election but was defeated by Rodrigo Chaves. Figueres started his career as an engineer working in agribusiness.
Why is Jose Maria Figueres elected President of Costa Rica significant?
José María Figueres Olsen is a Costa Rican businessman and politician, who served as President of Costa Rica from 1994 to 1998.

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