On This Day

Paraguay gains independence from Spain (National Day)

Paraguay (Guarani: Paraguái), officially the Republic of Paraguay, is a landlocked country located in the central region of South America.

Paraguay (Guarani: Paraguái), officially the Republic of Paraguay, is a landlocked country located in the central region of South America. It borders Bolivia to the northwest and north, Brazil to the northeast and east, and Argentina to the southeast, south, and west. Paraguay has access to the Atlantic Ocean via the Paraná–Paraguay Waterway. The country is governed as a unitary presidential republic composed of a capital district and seventeen departments. Its capital and largest city is Asunción.

The indigenous Guaraní had been living in eastern Paraguay for at least a millennium before the arrival of Spanish conquistadores in 1524. The city of Asunción was founded in 1537 as the first capital of the Governorate of the Río de la Plata within the Spanish Empire.

Historical Significance

Paraguay (Guarani: Paraguái), officially the Republic of Paraguay, is a landlocked country located in the central region of South America.

Events Before

  1. French church annuls marriage of Napoleon I and Empress Joséphine

    Joséphine Bonaparte was the first wife of Emperor Napoleon I and as such Empress of the French from 18 May 1804 until their marriage was annulled on 10 January 1810.

  2. French leader Napoleon I marries 2nd wife Marie-Louise of Austria

    French leader Napoleon I marries 2nd wife Marie-Louise of Austria

  3. Ludwig van Beethoven composes his famous piano piece "Für Elise"

    Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 1770 – 26 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist.

  4. In the May Revolution, citizens of Buenos Aires expel the Spanish Viceroy Cisneros during Semana de Mayo

    In the May Revolution, citizens of Buenos Aires expel the Spanish Viceroy Cisneros during Semana de Mayo

  5. American army officer and future US President Zachary Taylor (25) weds Margaret Smith (21) near Louisville, Kentucky, at

    American army officer and future US President Zachary Taylor (25) weds Margaret Smith (21) near Louisville, Kentucky, at the bride's sister's home

Events After

  1. After a ten-day siege, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, orders British soldiers of the Light and 3rd Divisions

    After a ten-day siege, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, orders British soldiers of the Light and 3rd Divisions to storm Ciudad Rodrigo during the Peninsular War

  2. Earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale destroys 90% of Caracas, Venezuela, and kills an estimated 15,000 to 20,00

    Earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale destroys 90% of Caracas, Venezuela, and kills an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 people

  3. British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval is assassinated by John Bellingham in the lobby of the House of Commons, London.

    British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval is assassinated by John Bellingham in the lobby of the House of Commons, London. Ironically, descendants of both later stand for the same seat in Parliament at the same time, but neither wins

  4. War of 1812 begins when the US declares war against Britain

    1812 (MDCCCXII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar and a leap year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar, the 1812th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD)...

  5. Napoleon Bonaparte's Grand Armée numbering half a million begin their invasion of Russia by crossing the Nieman River

    Napoleon Bonaparte's Grand Armée numbering half a million begin their invasion of Russia by crossing the Nieman River

More from the 1810s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on May 14, 1811?
Paraguay (Guarani: Paraguái), officially the Republic of Paraguay, is a landlocked country located in the central region of South America. It borders Bolivia to the northwest and north, Brazil to the northeast and east, and Argentina to the southeast, south, and west. Paraguay has access to the Atlantic Ocean via the Paraná–Paraguay Waterway.
Why is Paraguay gains independence from Spain (National Day) significant?
Paraguay (Guarani: Paraguái), officially the Republic of Paraguay, is a landlocked country located in the central region of South America.

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