Timeline of Simón Bolívar, the Venezuelan military and political leader who led the independence of six South American nations from Spanish rule. From his birth in Caracas to his death in Santa Marta, this chronology covers his military campaigns, political achievements, and legacy.
Chronological Storyline (36 Milestones)
Jul 24, 1783 CE
Birth in Caracas
Simón José Antonio de la Santísma Trinidad Bolívar y Ponte Palacios y Blanco is born in Caracas, Venezuela, into a wealthy aristocratic family. #history #independence
Birth in Caracas By Luis Enrique Toro Moreno (1897-1933) - Palacio Legislativo, La Paz // Mesa Gisbert, Carlos D. (2003). Presidentes de Bolivia: Entre urnas y fusiles. El poder ejecutivo, los ministros de Estado. Editorial Gisbert., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=112068420
1792 CE
Orphaned at Age 9
Bolívar's mother dies; he is raised by his grandfather and later by tutors, including Simón Rodríguez, who introduced him to Enlightenment ideas. #history #education
1799 CE
Travels to Spain
Bolívar travels to Spain to continue his education, studying in Madrid and experiencing European society. #history #travel
May 26, 1802 CE
Marriage to María Teresa Rodríguez del Toro y Alaysa
Bolívar marries María Teresa in Madrid. She dies later that year from yellow fever, deeply affecting him. #history #romance
1804 CE
Travels to Europe
After his wife's death, Bolívar returns to Europe, where he reconnects with Simón Rodríguez and witnesses Napoleon's coronation. #history #travel
Aug 15, 1805 CE
Oath on Monte Sacro
In Rome, Bolívar swears to dedicate his life to liberating South America from Spanish rule. #history #independence
1807 CE
Returns to Venezuela
Bolívar returns to Caracas via the United States, where he begins plotting independence. #history #revolution
Apr 19, 1810 CE
Venezuelan Declaration of Independence Begins
Venezuela's Supreme Junta is established, deposing the Spanish captain-general. Bolívar is sent as a diplomat to London. #history #independence
Venezuelan Declaration of Independence Begins By Unknown author, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2187437
Jul 5, 1811 CE
Venezuela Declares Independence
The Venezuelan Declaration of Independence is signed; Bolívar serves as a colonel under Francisco de Miranda. #history #independence
Venezuela Declares Independence By Martin Tovar y Tovar - http://www.cervantesvirtual.com/bib_autor/fmiranda/iconografia.shtml, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3453302
Jul 30, 1812 CE
Fall of the First Republic
Spanish forces recapture Venezuela; Bolívar flees to Cartagena de Indias (New Granada). #history #war
Fall of the First Republic By Salvadoroff - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=114731518
Dec 15, 1812 CE
Cartagena Manifesto
Bolívar writes the Cartagena Manifesto, analyzing the causes of the First Republic's fall and calling for liberation. #history #politics
Aug 6, 1813 CE
Admirable Campaign
Bolívar leads a successful invasion of Venezuela, capturing Mérida and Caracas, and is proclaimed 'El Libertador'. #history #military
Admirable Campaign By C arango - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3385931
Jun 15, 1814 CE
Battle of La Puerta
Spanish loyalist forces under Boves defeat Bolívar, leading to the fall of the Second Republic. Bolívar flees to New Granada again. #history #war )
Sep 6, 1815 CE
Jamaica Letter
While in exile in Jamaica, Bolívar writes his famous letter addressing the future of Latin America, envisioning a united continent. #history #politics
Jamaica Letter By Agencia de Noticias ANDES - CARTA DE JAMAICA, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=57687579
Mar 31, 1816 CE
Haitian Support
Bolívar receives military and financial support from Haitian President Alexandre Pétion, promising to abolish slavery. #history #diplomacy
Jul 17, 1817 CE
Capture of Angostura
Bolívar captures the city of Angostura (now Ciudad Bolívar), establishing his headquarters and government. #history #military
Feb 15, 1819 CE
Congress of Angostura
Bolívar convenes a congress in Angostura to draft a constitution for Venezuela; he delivers an address outlining his political vision. #history #politics
Congress of Angostura By Guillermo Ramos Flamerich - Own work, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1538389
Jul 7, 1819 CE
Battle of Boyacá
Bolívar's army defeats Spanish forces in Colombia, securing independence for New Granada (now Colombia). #history #military
Battle of Boyacá By Martin Tovar y Tovar - Painting of Martín Tovar y Tovar exhibited in the Federal Palace, Caracas, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10999492
Aug 10, 1819 CE
Liberation of Bogotá
Bolívar enters Bogotá triumphantly, effectively liberating New Granada. #history #independence
Dec 17, 1819 CE
Founding of Gran Colombia
The Congress of Angostura decrees the creation of Gran Colombia, uniting Venezuela, New Granada, and Quito (Ecuador). Bolívar becomes president. #history #politics
Founding of Gran Colombia By HansenBCN - Own workRepública de la Gran ColombiaGreat Colombia Federate Republic, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9809765
1820 CE
Truce with Spain
Bolívar signs a six-month armistice with Spanish commander Pablo Morillo, but negotiations for a permanent peace fail. #history #diplomacy
Jun 24, 1821 CE
Battle of Carabobo
A decisive victory secures Venezuelan independence; Bolívar's army defeats the last major Spanish force in Venezuela. #history #military
Jul 5, 1821 CE
Congress of Cúcuta
The Congress drafts a constitution for Gran Colombia, establishing a centralized government with Bolívar as president. #history #politics
Congress of Cúcuta By Ruben Valero - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35783802
May 24, 1822 CE
Battle of Pichincha
Antonio José de Sucre, Bolívar's lieutenant, defeats Spanish forces near Quito, securing independence for Ecuador. #history #military
Jul 26, 1822 CE
Guayaquil Conference
Bolívar meets with José de San Martín in Guayaquil; San Martín resigns, leaving Bolívar in charge of the Peruvian liberation campaign. #history #diplomacy
Guayaquil Conference By Padaguan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=29800125
Sep 2, 1823 CE
Arrival in Peru
Bolívar arrives in Peru to lead the independence campaign, where he is given supreme authority. #history #politics
Aug 6, 1824 CE
Battle of Junín
Bolívar leads a cavalry charge to victory against Spanish forces in Peru, a key step in the liberation of Peru. #history #military
Battle of Junín By Martin Tovar y Tovar - http://www.simon-bolivar.org/bolivar/images/batalla_junin.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2929577
Dec 9, 1824 CE
Battle of Ayacucho
Sucre defeats the last Spanish army in South America, effectively ending Spanish colonial rule on the continent. #history #military
Battle of Ayacucho By Martín Tovar y Tovar - Martin Tovar y Tovar, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=87809311
Aug 6, 1825 CE
Founding of Bolivia
The Republic of Bolivia is established, named after Bolívar, who drafts its constitution. #history #politics
Founding of Bolivia By See file history' below for details. - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=342979
Jun 22, 1826 CE
Congress of Panama
Bolívar convenes the Congress of Panama to unite Latin American nations, but the effort fails due to lack of consensus. #history #diplomacy
Congress of Panama By Nagihuin - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=107849646
1827 CE
Return to Venezuela and Political Struggles
Bolívar returns to Venezuela to quell rebellions and faces growing opposition to his centralist rule. #history #politics
Sep 25, 1828 CE
Attempted Assassination in Bogotá
A plot to assassinate Bolívar fails; he escapes but becomes more authoritarian. #history #politics
1829 CE
Venezuela Secedes from Gran Colombia
Venezuela withdraws from Gran Colombia, and Bolívar's dream of a unified nation begins to crumble. #history #politics
Jan 20, 1830 CE
Resignation as President of Gran Colombia
Bolívar resigns from the presidency, disillusioned by political infighting and secessionist movements. #history #politics
Apr 27, 1830 CE
Exile to Santa Marta
Bolívar leaves Bogotá for the coast, heading to exile in Europe, but stops at Santa Marta due to illness. #history #exile
Dec 17, 1830 CE
Death in Santa Marta
Simón Bolívar dies of tuberculosis at the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, near Santa Marta, Colombia. His last words reportedly were about unity. #history #legacy
