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 Simon Bolivar

Simon Bolivar was born on July 24th, 1783 in Caracas, Venezuela. His family was wealthy, so he was well educated as a young boy. In 1799 he went to Spain to continue his education. There he met his wife, Maria Teresa Rodríguez, who died from yellow fever in 1805 (9). After his wife's death, "Bolivar joined the group of patriots that seized Caracas in 1810 and proclaimed independence from Spain" (11). Also in his group was Francisco de Miranda, who lead revolts against the Spanish while thy occupied Caracas. Bolivar traveled to England to try to get assistance and financial aid (12). Without success, he returned to Venezuela and became commander of an army and took back Caracas in 1813 (11). He then went on to New Granada (Columbia) and recaptured the land from Spain in 1819. "On December 17, 1819, Bolivar proclaimed the establishment of the Republic of Columbia, consisting of New Granada and Venezuela, with himself president" (12). In 1824 he became president of Peru and organized a new republic in southern Peru (10). They named in Bolivia in his honor. On December 17, 1830, Simon Bolivar died of Tuberculosis at the age of forty-seven (12). "Often referred as the 'George Washington of South America,' Bolivar in some ways deserved that label" (12). 