Simón Bolívar's Milestones

Simón Bolívar was a South American military and political leader who liberated Venezuela, Bolivia, Colombia, and other nations from Spanish rule, earning the title El Libertador.
1783

Birth

Simón Bolívar was born in Caracas, Venezuela, to a wealthy Creole family.

Family July 24, 1783

Baptized

Baptized as Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios.

Other July 30, 1783
1786

Father died

Father, Juan Vicente Bolívar, died of tuberculosis.

Family January 19, 1786
1792

Raised by Hipólita

Raised by enslaved nurse Hipólita, whom Bolívar considered a mother figure.

Family January 1, 1792

Mother died

Mother, María de la Concepción Palacios, died of tuberculosis.

Family July 6, 1792
1793

Educated by Simón Rodríguez

Received early education from tutor Simón Rodríguez, who influenced his Enlightenment ideals.

Education January 1, 1793

Became ward of Carlos Palacios

Placed under guardianship of uncle Carlos Palacios after maternal grandfather's death.

Family December 5, 1793
1797

Joined honorary militia

Commissioned as officer in honorary militia in Caracas.

Other January 1, 1797
1799

Sent to Spain for further education

Traveled to Spain for further education, lived with uncle Esteban Palacios.

Education January 19, 1799
1800

Mentored by Marquis of Uztáriz

Mentored in Madrid by Gerónimo Enrique de Uztáriz, who provided classical and social studies education.

Education February 1, 1800

Met María Teresa Rodríguez del Toro

Met future wife María Teresa Rodríguez del Toro in Madrid.

Relationship August 1, 1800
1802

Married María Teresa Rodríguez

Married María Teresa Rodríguez del Toro, who died months later of yellow fever in Caracas.

Relationship May 26, 1802 - January 22, 1803
1803

Vowed never to remarry

Devastated by wife's death, Bolívar vowed never to remarry.

Relationship January 22, 1803
1804

Traveled to Paris

Moved to Paris, mingled with intellectuals and witnessed Napoleon's coronation.

Education April 1, 1804
1805

Grand Tour of Italy

Traveled through Italy; swore an oath on Mons Sacer to liberate Spanish America.

Other May 1, 1805 - August 18, 1805
1807

Returned to Venezuela

Returned to Venezuela after travels in Europe and the United States.

Location June 1, 1807
1810

Joined independence movement

Joined Caracas Supreme Junta, participated in diplomatic mission to Britain.

Achievement April 19, 1810
1811

Co-founded Patriotic Society

Co-founded the Patriotic Society, advocating for Venezuelan independence.

Achievement March 1, 1811

Venezuela declared independence

Venezuela declared independence from Spain.

Achievement July 5, 1811

Fought in defense of First Republic

Fought in defense of the First Venezuelan Republic against Royalist forces.

Career July 13, 1811 - July 25, 1812
1812

Exiled to New Granada

Escaped to Curaçao and then Cartagena, New Granada, after fall of First Republic.

Other August 27, 1812

Issued Cartagena Manifesto

Issued Cartagena Manifesto, outlining vision for unity and independence.

Achievement December 15, 1812
1813

Launched Admirable Campaign

Led Admirable Campaign, recaptured Caracas, named El Libertador.

Achievement May 14, 1813 - August 6, 1813
1814

Dictator of Second Republic

Named dictator of Second Venezuelan Republic; lost Caracas to Royalists.

Career January 2, 1814 - July 16, 1814
1815

Exiled to Jamaica and Haiti

Exiled to Jamaica and Haiti; wrote Jamaica Letter and secured support from President Pétion of Haiti.

Other May 14, 1815 - December 31, 1816
1816

Proclaimed emancipation of slaves

Proclaimed emancipation of slaves in areas under his control.

Achievement June 2, 1816
1817

Returned to Venezuela

Returned to Venezuela, rejoined independence struggle.

Career January 1, 1817
1819

Congress of Angostura

Delivered Angostura Address, advocating for new republican government.

Achievement February 15, 1819

Liberated New Granada

Secured independence for New Granada (now Colombia) after Battle of Boyacá.

Achievement August 7, 1819

Created Gran Colombia

Oversaw creation of Gran Colombia (Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador).

Achievement December 17, 1819
1821

Liberated Venezuela

Victory at Battle of Carabobo secured Venezuelan independence.

Achievement June 24, 1821
1822

Liberated Ecuador

Helped liberate Ecuador, met José de San Martín in Guayaquil.

Achievement May 24, 1822
1824

Became President of Peru

Appointed President of Peru; led independence efforts.

Career February 10, 1824 - September 4, 1826

Liberated Peru

Led forces to victory at Battle of Ayacucho, ending Spanish rule in South America.

Achievement December 9, 1824
1825

Founded Bolivia

Founded the country of Bolivia, named in his honor.

Achievement August 6, 1825
1826

Drafted Bolivian Constitution

Drafted the first constitution of Bolivia.

Achievement August 6, 1826
1830

Resigned presidency

Resigned as President of Gran Colombia amid political turmoil.

Career April 27, 1830

Final journey and illness

Departed Bogotá for exile due to illness and political opposition.

Other May 8, 1830 - December 17, 1830

Death

Died in Santa Marta, Colombia, at age 47, likely of tuberculosis.

Other December 17, 1830
1842

Remains repatriated to Caracas

Remains returned to Caracas and interred in the cathedral; later moved to National Pantheon in 1876.

Other December 17, 1842