Simón Bolívar's Milestones
Birth
Simón Bolívar was born in Caracas, Venezuela, to a wealthy Creole family.
Baptized
Baptized as Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios.
Father died
Father, Juan Vicente Bolívar, died of tuberculosis.
Raised by Hipólita
Raised by enslaved nurse Hipólita, whom Bolívar considered a mother figure.
Mother died
Mother, María de la Concepción Palacios, died of tuberculosis.
Educated by Simón Rodríguez
Received early education from tutor Simón Rodríguez, who influenced his Enlightenment ideals.
Became ward of Carlos Palacios
Placed under guardianship of uncle Carlos Palacios after maternal grandfather's death.
Joined honorary militia
Commissioned as officer in honorary militia in Caracas.
Sent to Spain for further education
Traveled to Spain for further education, lived with uncle Esteban Palacios.
Mentored by Marquis of Uztáriz
Mentored in Madrid by Gerónimo Enrique de Uztáriz, who provided classical and social studies education.
Met María Teresa Rodríguez del Toro
Met future wife María Teresa Rodríguez del Toro in Madrid.
Married María Teresa Rodríguez
Married María Teresa Rodríguez del Toro, who died months later of yellow fever in Caracas.
Vowed never to remarry
Devastated by wife's death, Bolívar vowed never to remarry.
Traveled to Paris
Moved to Paris, mingled with intellectuals and witnessed Napoleon's coronation.
Grand Tour of Italy
Traveled through Italy; swore an oath on Mons Sacer to liberate Spanish America.
Returned to Venezuela
Returned to Venezuela after travels in Europe and the United States.
Joined independence movement
Joined Caracas Supreme Junta, participated in diplomatic mission to Britain.
Co-founded Patriotic Society
Co-founded the Patriotic Society, advocating for Venezuelan independence.
Venezuela declared independence
Venezuela declared independence from Spain.
Fought in defense of First Republic
Fought in defense of the First Venezuelan Republic against Royalist forces.
Exiled to New Granada
Escaped to Curaçao and then Cartagena, New Granada, after fall of First Republic.
Issued Cartagena Manifesto
Issued Cartagena Manifesto, outlining vision for unity and independence.
Launched Admirable Campaign
Led Admirable Campaign, recaptured Caracas, named El Libertador.
Dictator of Second Republic
Named dictator of Second Venezuelan Republic; lost Caracas to Royalists.
Exiled to Jamaica and Haiti
Exiled to Jamaica and Haiti; wrote Jamaica Letter and secured support from President Pétion of Haiti.
Proclaimed emancipation of slaves
Proclaimed emancipation of slaves in areas under his control.
Returned to Venezuela
Returned to Venezuela, rejoined independence struggle.
Congress of Angostura
Delivered Angostura Address, advocating for new republican government.
Liberated New Granada
Secured independence for New Granada (now Colombia) after Battle of Boyacá.
Created Gran Colombia
Oversaw creation of Gran Colombia (Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador).
Liberated Venezuela
Victory at Battle of Carabobo secured Venezuelan independence.
Liberated Ecuador
Helped liberate Ecuador, met José de San Martín in Guayaquil.
Became President of Peru
Appointed President of Peru; led independence efforts.
Liberated Peru
Led forces to victory at Battle of Ayacucho, ending Spanish rule in South America.
Founded Bolivia
Founded the country of Bolivia, named in his honor.
Drafted Bolivian Constitution
Drafted the first constitution of Bolivia.
Resigned presidency
Resigned as President of Gran Colombia amid political turmoil.
Final journey and illness
Departed Bogotá for exile due to illness and political opposition.
Death
Died in Santa Marta, Colombia, at age 47, likely of tuberculosis.
Remains repatriated to Caracas
Remains returned to Caracas and interred in the cathedral; later moved to National Pantheon in 1876.