Venezuela Independence

Venezuelan Independence

Date of Independence: April 19th, 1810

Synopsis: On April 10th, 1810, the Republic of Venezuela gained its independence from a fifteen year dispute with Spain. This day was known as “Firma Acta de la Independencia” or “Signing of the Act of Independence.” Venezuela was the first South American Republic to break away from Spain, leading to a series of revolutions throughout the region.

Influential Patriots:

Simón Bolívar, also known as “The Liberator”, was born on July 4th, 1783 in the Caracas, Venezuela. Simon was born into a wealthy and powerful family, however he became an orphan at the age of only nine years old. He was president of Gran Colombia (1819–30) and dictator of Peru (1823–26). Not only did Bolívar lead the Venezuelan Revolution, but played a major role in the Latin American Independence Movement. He fostered the cause of the revolution by persuading the exiled Venezuelan Francisco de Míranda, who in 1806 had attempted to liberate his country single-handedly, to return to Caracas and resume his command of the independence movement.

Francisco de Míranda was a Venezuelan patriot, general, and traveler. He was considered the “precursor” to Simon Bolívar’s “liberator” a dashing romantic figure Francisco led one of the most fascinating lives in history. A friend of Americans such as James Madison and Thomas Jefferson, he also served as a general in the French Revolution and was the lover of Catherine The Great of Russia. Although he didn’t live to see South America freed from Spanish rule, his contribution to the cause was considerable.

Jose Felix Ribas

Streets Named After Heroes In Caracas, Venezuela

Antonio Guzman Blanco Avenue- Named after the president of Venezuela. Antonio Guzman Blanco served from 1870-1877

Simón Bolivar avenue- Named after Simón Bolívar; the Leader of The Venezuelan war.

Streets in Washington D.C. Named After American Heros

Martin Luther King Avenue

Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue All are civil rights activists

Whitney Young Avenue

Streets in Philly Named After American Heros

James Madison Avenue

Washington Street