Updated Articles and Resources
- 1819: Simon Bolivar Crosses the AndesCreated: 2009-11-14 @ 10:53:17 EST Updated: 2009-11-14 @ 11:10:22 EST
In 1819, the War for Independence in Northern South America had stalled. Venezuela, where most of the fighting had taken place, was in ruins. Simon Bolivar decided to take the fight to neighboring … - Biography of Francisco de Miranda - Francisco de Miranda ProfileCreated: 2009-11-12 @ 16:31:11 EST
Francisco de Miranda (1750-1816) was a Venezuelan patriot, adventurer and general who made important contributions early in Latin America's struggle for independence from Spain. … - Manuel Piar - Biography of General Manuel Carlos PiarCreated: 2009-11-12 @ 16:23:10 EST
General Manuel Piar was an important leader in Venezuela's struggle for independence from Spain. Although he was a skilled general and efficient recruiter, Simon Bolivar ordered him tried and execu… - The First Venezuelan Republic, 1810-1812Created: 2009-11-12 @ 15:56:26 EST Updated: 2009-11-12 @ 16:21:19 EST
In 1810, Venezuela was the first Latin American nation to formally break away from Spain and set up an independent republic. The First Venezuelan Republic was led by Simon Bolivar and Francisco de … - Biography of Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla - Miguel Hidalgo Profi…Created: 2009-11-10 @ 11:48:18 EST
Mexico's movement for independence from Spain was kicked off by an unlikely figure: Father Miguel Hidalgo, a parish priest and theologian well into his fifties. Hidalgo raised an army and took it t… - The Countries of Central AmericaCreated: 2009-10-29 @ 16:50:34 EDT Updated: 2009-10-29 @ 17:22:16 EDT
Central America, the stretch of land between Mexico and South America, has a long and troubled history of war, crime, corruption and dictatorship. These are the nations of Central America… - Pancho Villa: Ten Facts About Pancho VillaCreated: 2009-10-29 @ 16:09:29 EDT
Pancho Villa was probably the best-known of the leaders of the Mexican Revolution. Still, most people don't know some of the more interesting parts of his history. Here are some fun facts about Pan… - Independence from Spain: Francisco de Miranda's 1806 Invasion of Ven…Created: 2009-10-29 @ 13:31:56 EDT Updated: 2009-10-29 @ 13:53:10 EDT
In 1806, legendary Venezuelan patriot led a force of some 500 volunteers in an attack on mainland South America, seeking to kick off a war of independence which would free Latin America from Spanis… - The August 10 MovementCreated: 2009-10-27 @ 18:33:32 EDT
On August 10, 1809, a group of citizens in Quito, Ecuador, decided that since Napoleon had invaded Spain, they no longer had to obey the Viceroy in Lima and set up their own government. The colonia… - Biography of Cornelio Saavedra - Cornelio SaavedraCreated: 2009-10-27 @ 18:31:19 EDT
Cornelio Saavedra was one of the leaders of Argentina's independence movement. He served ably as leader of a ruling junta from 1810-1811, but was removed from power by those who favored a clean bre… - The Truth About Christopher ColumbusCreated: 2009-10-17 @ 08:52:42 EDT
In 1492, Christopher Columbus discovered lands previously unknown to Europeans. Since then, his image has had its ups and downs. Some think he was a brave hero, and he was nominated for sainthood a… - What should kids be taught about Christopher Columbus?…Created: 2009-10-17 @ 08:21:22 EDT
To some, Christopher Columbus was a brave explorer. To others, he was a monster and slaver. In school, kids have traditionally been taught that he was a hero, but many people don't agree with that… - Mexican Independence - The Siege of GuanajuatoCreated: 2009-10-12 @ 09:00:22 EDT
On September 28, 1810, an angry mass of Mexican insurgents led by Father Miguel Hidalgo descended on the hapless mining city of Guanajuato. The Spaniards in the city quickly organized a defense, fo… - Mexican War of Independence: The Battle of Calderon BridgeCreated: 2009-10-08 @ 21:38:31 EDT
In January of 1811, Mexican rebels under Miguel Hidalgo and Ignacio Allende were on the run from royalist forces. Picking advantageous ground, they prepared to defend the Calderon Bridge which lead… - Photo Gallery: Historic Antigua, GuatemalaCreated: 2009-10-08 @ 20:51:24 EDT
The charming colonial city of Antigua is Guatemala's most historic town. Destroyed by an earthquake in 1773, many of the city's most important buildings were subsequently abandoned. Ironically, thi… - The Tomb of Pedro de AlvaradoCreated: 2009-10-08 @ 20:21:53 EDT
The Tomb of Pedro de Alvarado… - The Ruined Main Cathedral of Antigua, Guatemala…Created: 2009-10-08 @ 20:13:43 EDT
The Ruined Main Cathedral of Antigua, Guatemala… - The Cathedral of Antigua, GuatemalaCreated: 2009-10-08 @ 20:10:34 EDT
The Cathedral of Antigua, Guatemala… - The Public Pila of Antigua, GuatemalaCreated: 2009-10-08 @ 20:07:20 EDT
The Public Pila of Antigua, Guatemala… - Ruins of the San Jeronimo Church and School, Antigua, Guatemala…Created: 2009-10-08 @ 17:53:06 EDT
Ruins of the San Jeronimo Church and School, Antigua, Guatemala… - Ruins of San Francisco Cathedral, Antigua, Guatemala…Created: 2009-10-08 @ 17:52:57 EDT Updated: 2009-10-08 @ 17:59:10 EDT
Ruins of the San Francisco Cathedral, Antigua, Guatemala… - Statue of Saint Hermano Pedro, Antigua, Guatemala…Created: 2009-10-08 @ 17:52:47 EDT Updated: 2009-10-08 @ 18:15:48 EDT
Statue of Saint Hermano Pedro, Antigua, Guatemala… - Zapata (2004) Movie Review - Review of Zapata Starring Alejandro Fer…Created: 2009-09-29 @ 13:49:58 EDT Updated: 2009-09-29 @ 13:53:01 EDT
2004's Zapata: el Sueño del Héroe (Zapata: Dream of the Hero) was a much-anticipated biography of legendary revolutionary Emiliano Zapata from award winning-director Alfonso Arau and star… - Mexico's War For Independence: the Battle of Monte de las CrucesCreated: 2009-09-20 @ 18:54:05 EDT
In late October of 1810, Father Miguel Hidalgo led an angry mob of close to 80,000 poor Mexicans towards Mexico City. The rebel army was like a swarm of locusts, destroying everything in its path, … - Mexican Independence: The Cry of DoloresCreated: 2009-09-10 @ 13:48:37 EDT
On September 16, 1810, unlikely revolutionary Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, village priest of the town of Dolores, rang the church bell and exhorted his congregation to join him in taking up arms to d… - Biography of Ignacio Allende - Ignacio Allende ProfileCreated: 2009-09-10 @ 13:09:42 EDT Updated: 2009-09-10 @ 13:45:13 EDT
Ignacio Allende was a Mexican cavalry captain and an early fighter for Mexican Independence. He was present at the famous "Cry of Dolores" and fought with Father Miguel Hidalgo before bot… - Benito JuarezCreated: 2009-08-29 @ 12:32:57 EDT Updated: 2009-08-29 @ 13:10:38 EDT
Benito Juarez… - Maximillian of Austria, Emperor of MexicoCreated: 2009-08-29 @ 12:32:40 EDT Updated: 2009-08-29 @ 13:10:02 EDT
Maximillian of Austria, Emperor of Mexico… - Antonio Lopez de Santa AnnaCreated: 2009-08-29 @ 12:32:20 EDT
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna… - Presidents of Mexico, 1810-1900Created: 2009-08-29 @ 11:44:20 EDT Updated: 2009-08-29 @ 11:44:20 EDT
The period from 1810 to 1900 was an important one for the United States of Mexico. During this time, the young nation went through a number of different presidents, from madmen (Antonio Lopez de Sa… - The History of Colombia - Colombia HistoryCreated: 2009-08-26 @ 18:19:57 EDT
Of all of the nations of South America, Colombia is perhaps the one with the longest and most tragic history of strife and violence. Most of it has been internal: liberals and conservatives, unable… - Causes of Latin America's Independence From SpainCreated: 2009-07-25 @ 10:33:34 EDT
In 1810, Spain's New World Empire stretched from the American Northwest to Tierra del Fuego. By 1825, it retained only a handful of islands. What happened? How and why did Spain lose so much, so qu… - Latin American History: Civil Wars and RevolutionsCreated: 2009-07-18 @ 08:09:45 EDT Updated: 2009-07-18 @ 08:24:03 EDT
Even since most of Latin America gained independence from Spain in the period from 1810-1825, the region has suffered from numerous disastrous civil wars and revolutions. They range from the all-ou… - The Mexican RevolutionUpdated: 2009-11-20 @ 09:03:07 EST
The Mexican Revolution (1910-1920) began with a contested election in 1910 and ended a decade later with hundreds of thousands dead, the country in tatters and the economy in ruins. It has become t… - Biography of Francisco Madero-Profile of Francisco Madero…Updated: 2009-11-20 @ 08:58:32 EST
An unlikely revolutionary, Francisco Madero (1873-1913) was a Mexican writer and politician whose efforts to democratically unseat dictator Porfirio Diaz resulted in the start of the Mexican Revolu… - Wars and EventsUpdated: 2009-11-18 @ 18:04:46 EST
The History of Latin America is long and bloody. From the ruthless regional dominance of the Aztecs and Inca to the horrors of the conquest to savage acts of repression by governments against their… - Huascar, Inca Emperor 1527-1532Updated: 2009-11-15 @ 11:40:28 EST
When Inca Emperor Huayna Capac died in 1527, his sons Atahualpa and Huascar fought bitterly over his throne. Huascar held Cuzco, but Atahualpa had the army… - Biography of Francisco de Paula SantanderUpdated: 2009-11-14 @ 11:15:33 EST
Francisco de Paula Santander was one of Liberator Simon Bolivar's best friends until they had to jointly rule the young nation of Gran Colombia. The two men became political foes, to the point wher… - The Ten Most Important Events in the History of Latin AmericaUpdated: 2009-11-12 @ 16:36:31 EST
Latin America has always been shaped by events: wars, rebellions, invasions and more. Which have been the most important? My top ten are based on international and domestic impact. … - Biography of José MartíUpdated: 2009-11-12 @ 16:34:41 EST
José Martí (1853-1895) was a Cuban revolutionary and poet. Although he was not a soldier, he was a leading advocate for Cuban independence from Spain from the time he was sixteen years ol… - People & PlacesUpdated: 2009-11-12 @ 16:11:04 EST
Contains links to biographies of major figures in the history of Latin America. Also contains links to descriptions of important places such as cities and countries… - ErasUpdated: 2009-11-12 @ 16:10:25 EST
Because Latin America was often shaped by cataclysmic events such as the Conquest and the Wars of Independence, it is easy to divide up by era. The different time periods of Latin American History … - Independence from SpainUpdated: 2009-11-09 @ 14:58:04 EST
For most of Latin America, independence from Spain came between 1806 and 1825. Each region took a different path to independence, with different leaders and battles. … - Biography of Alberto FujimoriUpdated: 2009-11-08 @ 20:48:22 EST
Alberto Fujimori, President of Peru from 1990-2000, is something of an enigma. Is he the one who controlled Peru's runaway economy, ending inflation and providing economic security for millions? Is… - Biography of Manuel Zelaya - Manuel Zelaya ProfileUpdated: 2009-11-03 @ 08:19:44 EST
Manuel Zelaya (1952-) is a Honduran businessman and politician. A leftist, he has cultivated close ties with like-minded politicians such as Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. He was elected to serve the a … - The Thousand Days' WarUpdated: 2009-10-27 @ 19:05:27 EDT
The Thousand Days' War, a Civil War fought in Colombia from 1899-1902, devastated the nation and brought about the secession of Panama as an independent nation. … - Biography of Orlando LetelierUpdated: 2009-10-25 @ 08:58:31 EDT
Orlando Letelier was a rising political star in Chile in 1973, when General Augusto Pinochet seized control of the government. Living in exile, Letelier was an outspoken critic of the military regi… - Biography of Gabriel Garcia Moreno - Gabriel Garcia Moreno ProfileUpdated: 2009-10-25 @ 08:44:19 EDT
Gabriel García Moreno was president and dictator of Ecuador for several years in the turbulent mid-nineteenth century. He is remembered primarily as a Catholic zealot who, in spite of his beli… - Biography of Pancho Villa -- Pancho Villa ProfileUpdated: 2009-10-24 @ 15:52:32 EDT
Few men are as legendary in Latin American History as Pancho Villa. Bandit, general, warlord, hero and murderer, Villa is a complicated and fascinating historical figure and one of the giants of th… - Mexican Revolution: The Battle of ZacatecasUpdated: 2009-10-24 @ 15:49:49 EDT
June, 1914: Surrounded on all sides by rebel armies, Mexican President Victoriano Huerta sent most of his remaining soldiers and one of his best generals to defend the strategic city of Zacatecas. … - Pancho Villa - Who Killed Pancho VillaUpdated: 2009-10-24 @ 15:45:25 EDT
When legendary warlord Pancho Villa was gunned down in July of 1923, most Mexicans suspected a conspiracy...and they were right. Who killed Pancho Villa? The conspiracy went all the way to the top:… - Biography of Juan Bautista AlberdiUpdated: 2009-10-22 @ 20:49:24 EDT
Juan Bautista Alberdi was a writer, diplomat and intellectual who was critical during the formation of the modern Republic of Argentina after the 1852 downfall of dictator Juan Manuel de Rosas. For… - Biography of Jorge Luís Borges (1899-1986)Updated: 2009-10-22 @ 20:35:27 EDT
Jorge Luís Borges (1899-1986)was an Argentine writer and poet. His intellectual short stories made him internationally famous, and his is considered a precursor to the famous Latin American li… - Presidents of South AmericaUpdated: 2009-10-20 @ 12:56:53 EDT
Over the years, many men (and a few women) have been president of the different nations of South America. Some have been crooked, some noble, and some misunderstood, but their lives and accomplishm… - Biography of Mariano Moreno - Mariano Moreno ProfileUpdated: 2009-10-17 @ 17:07:32 EDT
Dr. Mariano Moreno led Argentina in battles against the British and the Spanish in the early part of the nineteenth century and is today considered one of the founding fathers of the Republic of Ar… - Biography of Christopher Columbus - Christopher Columbus ProfileUpdated: 2009-10-17 @ 08:28:40 EDT
Christopher Columbus was the greatest explorer of his age: for centuries he was thought to have been the first to discover America. He was a complex man, however, who failed as often as he succeede… - Biography of Pedro de Alvarado - Pedro de Alvarado ProfileUpdated: 2009-10-16 @ 16:10:43 EDT
Hundreds of Spanish conquistadores came to the New World in search of glory and gold. These men were all violent and ruthless, but one man stood out from the rest for his cruelty: Pedro de Alvarado… - Biography of Victoriano Huerta - Profile of Victoriano HuertaUpdated: 2009-10-16 @ 15:59:23 EDT
Victoriano Huerta was a Mexican general who briefly became president during the Mexican Revolution. Responsible for the murder of Francisco Madero, he was widely despised by other revolutionaries l… - The Tlatelolco MassacreUpdated: 2009-10-16 @ 15:45:43 EDT
The Tlatelolco Massacre, often referred to as "Mexico's Kent State," was in reality far more horrific, as hundreds of protesters, most of them students, were gunned down by government sec… - Biography of Anastasio Somoza GarcíaUpdated: 2009-10-15 @ 20:57:54 EDT
Anastasio Somoza García seized power in Nicaragua in 1936, beginning a dynasty of rule that would pass through his two sons and last until 1979. The dictatorship years were marked by corruptio… - Biography of Juan Sebastián ElcanoUpdated: 2009-10-15 @ 20:48:51 EDT
Juan Sebastián Elcano was a Basque sailor and navigator, and the first man to successfully complete a round-the-world naval voyage. He set out from Spain in 1519 as part of the Magellan expedi… - Biography of Pascual Orozco - Pascual Orozco ProfileUpdated: 2009-10-15 @ 20:42:29 EDT
Pascual Orozco was an important leader during the early days of the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920). For a while, he commanded the largest rebel army in the field, but his fortunes fell when he supp… - Biography of Emiliano Zapata - Emiliano Zapata ProfileUpdated: 2009-10-15 @ 20:32:18 EDT
Emiliano Zapata was the greatest idealist of the Mexican Revolution (1910-1920). The leader of a small, mostly indigenous community in the southern state of Morelos, Zapata was already fighting the… - National History Museum (Museo Histórico Nacional) Santiago, ChileUpdated: 2009-10-15 @ 11:44:40 EDT
Chile's National History museum is well worth a visit, as it contains a wealth of information and many priceless historical relics. … - The Second Voyage of Christopher ColumbusUpdated: 2009-10-11 @ 09:53:48 EDT
Returning from the New World without having kept his promises of finding new trade routes to the far east, Christopher Columbus convinces the rulers of Spain to send him back with a larger fleet to… - The History of San Juan, Puerto RicoUpdated: 2009-10-11 @ 07:49:09 EDT
San Juan, Puerto Rico, has been one of the most important ports in the Caribbean for centuries. It has a long history, from Spanish conquistadors to pirate attacks to battles between American and S… - Biography of Rigoberta MenchuUpdated: 2009-10-11 @ 07:42:34 EDT
Rigoberta Menchu, the controversial winner of the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize, is still active in Guatemalan politics and native rights movements around the world. … - The Battle of PichinchaUpdated: 2009-10-10 @ 15:48:03 EDT
On May 24, 1822, a rebel army led by Antonio José de Sucre clashed with a Spanish royalist army on the muddy slopes of Pichincha volcano, outside of Quito, Ecuador. The outcome would determine… - The Bogotazo: April 9, 1948Updated: 2009-10-10 @ 15:36:02 EDT
On April 9, 1948, the poor of Bogota, Colombia, took to the streets after Liberal party leader Jorge Eliécer Gaitán was gunned down int he street. The riot that ensued, known as the "… - Fray Toribio de Benavente "Motolinía"Updated: 2009-10-10 @ 08:53:21 EDT
Fray Toribio de Benavente, better known by his nickname "Motolinía," was one of the first Spanish friars to arrive in the new World. A tireless evangelizer, he claimed to have baptiz… - Latin American History: Introduction to the Colonial EraUpdated: 2009-10-10 @ 08:36:14 EDT
Of all the different time periods in the History of Latin America, the Colonial Era was the most important in shaping the modern character of the region. Here you can read six reasons why. … - The History of the City of Antigua, GuatemalaUpdated: 2009-10-09 @ 18:11:27 EDT
Founded by legendary conquistador Pedro de Alvarado, historic Antigua is one of Central America's most beautiful and beloved cities. Today, it is one of Guatemala's top visitor attractions. … - The History of Buenos AiresUpdated: 2009-10-09 @ 18:04:12 EDT
Buenos Aires, Argentina, has a long and fascinating history of wars, economic booms and busts, and art. Full of characters like Evita Perón, Juan Manuel de Rosas and Carlos Gardel, this import… - The History of São PauloUpdated: 2009-10-09 @ 18:00:28 EDT
São Paulo, Brazil, is the largest city in Latin America, edging out runner-up Mexico City by a couple million inhabitants. It has a long and interesting history, including serving as home base… - Biography of Lope de Aguirre, Madman of El DoradoUpdated: 2009-10-09 @ 17:57:50 EDT
Lope de Aguirre, conquistador and soldier of the Spanish Empire, was a typical mercenary until 1561, when he went mad seeking El Dorado in the dense Amazonian rainforest. What followed is the stuff… - Chavez and BolívarUpdated: 2009-10-09 @ 17:52:41 EDT
Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela, said recently that he would like to reopen the famous case of the death of Simón Bolívar, who died in 1830. Why would he want to do so? Here’s th… - Benito Juarez: Mexico's Liberal ReformerUpdated: 2009-10-08 @ 21:28:36 EDT
Benito Juarez, one of Mexico's most important statesmen and reformers, was the most powerful Mexican politician of his era and a driving force in Mexican politics for several years. … - La Navidad: First European Settlement in the AmericasUpdated: 2009-10-08 @ 21:17:42 EDT
On Columbus' first voyage, he was forced to leave behind 39 men at a settlement he named "La Navidad." One year later, he returned to find it burned to the ground, and all of the men mass… - Biography of Diego RiveraUpdated: 2009-10-08 @ 21:14:24 EDT
Diego Rivera was Mexico's best-known muralist. An avowed communist, he was as well known for controversy as art, and his is also famous for his volatile marriage to fellow artist Frida Kahlo. … - Biography of Augusto PinochetUpdated: 2009-10-08 @ 21:07:23 EDT
Augusto Pinochet (1915-2006) was a general in the Chilean military who also served as president and dictator for almost twenty years. During his time in office, thousands of Chileans were arrested,… - The Maya: Conquest of the K?iche by Pedro de AlvaradoUpdated: 2009-10-08 @ 20:52:08 EDT
In 1523, ruthless conquistador Pedro de Alvarado set forth from Mexico with a force of 160 men and several thousand native allies. Following tales of rich kingdoms to the south, they found themselv… - Biography of Ferdinand MagellanUpdated: 2009-10-06 @ 16:30:32 EDT
Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese navigator and captain who led the first expedition that successfully circled the globe. … - Conquest of the Inca: The Battle of TeocajasUpdated: 2009-10-01 @ 20:13:06 EDT
May, 1535: In the frosty highlands outside the Inca city of Tombebamba, a force of Spanish conquistadors led by Sebastian de Benalcazar faced off against Inca General Ruminahui and his host of thou… - Biography of Roberto Gómez Bolaños (Chespirito, el Chavo del 8)Updated: 2009-10-01 @ 20:11:13 EDT
Biography of Roberto Gómez Bolaños, a.k.a. Chespirito, Mexican writer and actor who made famous characters such as el Chavo del 8 and el Chapulín Colorado. … - Antonio de MontesinosUpdated: 2009-10-01 @ 19:46:54 EDT
On December 4, 1511, Dominican friar Antonio de Montesinos delivered a scathing sermon to the Spanish colonists on Hispaniola, criticizing them for enslaving the natives of the Caribbean. He was pr… - Biography of Amerigo Vespucci - Amerigo Vespucci ProfileUpdated: 2009-10-01 @ 19:41:47 EDT
Amerigo Vespucci was one of the most important explorers during the age of discovery. An able mariner, he made two trips to the New World and explored the coast of Brazil. It was his descriptions o… - Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas (1484-1566) Part One: from Colonist to …Updated: 2009-10-01 @ 19:40:56 EDT
Biography of Fray Bartolome de Las Casas Part One… - Pánfilo de Narváez BiographyUpdated: 2009-10-01 @ 19:24:28 EDT
Pánfilo de Narváez was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who participated in early conquests of the Caribbean. Later, he was permitted to explore and conquer the area of present-day Flo… - Biograpy of Camilo CienfuegosUpdated: 2009-09-22 @ 15:50:11 EDT
Camilo Cienfuegos was one of the leaders of the Cuban Revolution, as famous to Cubans as Fidel Castro and Che Guevara. Considered a hero of the revolution by Cuba's government, there are neverhtele… - Biography of María Eva "Evita" PerónUpdated: 2009-09-17 @ 16:57:13 EDT
Evita Perón is well-known as the subject of a very successful musical...but what was she really like? Who was this remarkable woman who had captured the attention of the world by the time of h… - Biography of Pablo EscobarUpdated: 2009-09-17 @ 16:51:37 EDT
Pablo Escobar was the greatest Colombian drug lord, whose Medellín cartel once controlled 80% of the cocaine shipped illegally into the United States. Although his personal fortune reached int… - Arms and Armor of the Spanish Conquistadors - Conquistador Weapons a…Updated: 2009-09-11 @ 11:37:43 EDT
With just a few hundred men, the Spanish were able to bring down and control the mighty Aztec and Inca, powerful Empires with armies in the thousands. How were they able to do it? The weapons and a… - A New World: The First Voyage of Christopher Columbus (1492-1493)Updated: 2009-09-11 @ 11:20:56 EDT
Christopher Columbus may have been looking for a new trade route to Asia when he set out in 1492, but he discovered something far more important. Columbus made several stops on his monumental first… - The Third Voyage of Christopher ColumbusUpdated: 2009-09-11 @ 11:15:14 EDT
In 1498 Christopher Columbus returned for a third trip to the New World, bearing supplies for colonists and still searching for a passage to the markets of the orient. He found discontent, disease,…