Posted
on January 26, 2017
 |
| The Dominican Republic is a Caribbean island nation. |
One
of the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic, Juan Pablo Duarte
dreamed of independence from Haiti and of a liberal and democratic
nation.
Born
on this date in 1813, Duarte helped inspire the 1844 Dominican War of
Independence, and he helped finance it, too. However, when the
Dominicans succeeded in their efforts to set up an independent
nation, Duarte found himself disagreeing with the republic's first
president, Pedro Santana. As a matter of fact, Duarte found himself
disagreeing with a lot of the elites who wanted to control the new
nation.
After
funding the fight for independence, Duarte was ruined financially.
And after striving to found the nation, Duarte found himself exiled
from it again and again. Santana was a tyrannical leader – he
wanted to control people in a very un-democratic way – and other
monied and powerful figures wanted to keep their power and
traditions, thank you very much. So Duarte, with his idealism and
liberal ideas, had to go.
Duarte even died in exile!
But
Duarte was and is a hero and even a martyr in the eyes of
Dominicans, and his democratic ideals have
become a guiding principle for his nation.
Duarte
Day is celebrated with wreaths and flowers laid on his tomb, and
parades and other celebrations.
Pico
Duarte is the highest spot in the entire Caribbean.
It's
high enough, even, for occasional snow!
Duarte
Square in New York City is not a square at all – it's a
triangular-shaped park. Its full name is Juan Pablo Duarte Square.
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on this date:
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