On This Day

South American independence leader Simón Bolívar enters Mérida, leading the invasion of Venezuela, and is proclaimed El

South American independence leader Simón Bolívar enters Mérida, leading the invasion of Venezuela, and is proclaimed El Libertador (The Liberator)

Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar Palacios Ponte y Blanco (24 July 1783 – 17 December 1830) was a Venezuelan military officer and statesman who led what are currently the countries of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela to independence from the Spanish Empire. He is known colloquially as El Libertador, or the Liberator of America.

Bolívar was born in Caracas in the Captaincy General of Venezuela into a wealthy family of American-born Spaniards (criollo) but lost both parents as a child. He was educated abroad and lived in Spain, as was common for men of upper-class families in his day.

Historical Significance

Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar Palacios Ponte y Blanco (24 July 1783 – 17 December 1830) was a Venezuelan military officer and statesman who led what are currently the countries of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela to independence from the Spanish Empire.

Key People

Simón Bolívar

Venezuelan statesman and military officer

Venezuelan statesman and military officer

Events Before

  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

Events After

  1. Field Marshal Blücher's troops cross the Rhine at Kaub

    Field Marshal Blücher's troops cross the Rhine at Kaub

  2. Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 8 in F major premieres in Vienna

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

  3. Napoléon Bonaparte abdicates unconditionally and is exiled to the island of Elba in the Mediterranean

    Napoléon Bonaparte abdicates unconditionally and is exiled to the island of Elba in the Mediterranean

  4. King Ferdinand VII of Spain signs the Decree of the 4th of May, returning Spain to absolutism

    King Ferdinand VII of Spain signs the Decree of the 4th of May, returning Spain to absolutism

  5. English engineer George Stephenson introduces his first steam locomotive, a traveling engine designed for hauling coal o

    English engineer George Stephenson introduces his first steam locomotive, a traveling engine designed for hauling coal on the Killingworth wagonway, named Blücher

More from the 1810s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on May 23, 1813?
Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar Palacios Ponte y Blanco (24 July 1783 – 17 December 1830) was a Venezuelan military officer and statesman who led what are currently the countries of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela to independence from the Spanish Empire. He is known colloquially as El Libertador, or the Liberator of America. Bolívar was born in Caracas in the Captaincy General of Venezuela into a wealthy family of American-born Spaniards (criollo) but lost both parents as a child.
Why is South American independence leader Simón Bolívar enters Mérida, leading the i... significant?
Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar Palacios Ponte y Blanco (24 July 1783 – 17 December 1830) was a Venezuelan military officer and statesman who led what are currently the countries of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela to independence from the Spanish Empire.
Who was involved in South American independence leader Simón Bolívar enters Mérida, leading the i...?
Key figures include Simón Bolívar (Venezuelan statesman and military officer).

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