July 24, 2011 - Simon Bolivar Day

– South America


He was, quite simply, The Liberator!

Well, make that El Libertador!

Along with Jose de San Martin, Bolivar led South Americans during their struggle to win independence from Spain. He was instrumental in gaining independence for Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Panama. (Panama is part of Central America, which is part of North America, rather than South America.)

Since today is Bolivar's birthday (he was born in Caracas, Venezuela, on this date in 1783), he is celebrated today in Latin America. Apparently the biggest celebrations are in Ecuador and Venezuela; there is food and music, there are military and national-costume parades, and there are flags and battle reenactments.
This statue of Simon Bolivar is
located in Washington, D.C. It is the
apparently the tallest statue in the city!


A short biography of Simon Bolivar can be found here.  







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