Category: August

August 11, 3117 BCE.  Yes, you read this date correctly, 3117 BCE, Before Christian Era.  That’s over 5129 years ago. This date is the beginning of the most recent cycle of the Mayan Calendar, which completed on December 21, 2012.  As noted, the world did not end, so hopefully, you did not tell off your… Continue reading The Most Recent Cycle of the Mayan Calendar 3117 BCE

On August 3, 2012, Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio celebrated the 19th anniversary of the “Tent City”, a camp that he established in Maricopa County to imprison undocumented people and criminals.  The tents are unheated in winter and uncooled in summer—inside temperatures have been recorded as high as 145 degrees.  To humiliate these human beings seeking… Continue reading 19th Anniversary of the “Tent City” 2012

With a stellar concert line-up and a donation of 75,000 pounds of food to local charities, Goya Foods launched its nationwide 75th anniversary party on August 19, 2011.  The concert line-up included Latino stars Marc Anthony, Ana Gabriel, and Marco Antonio Solis. Now a billion dollar enterprise with over 3,000 employees, Goya Foods was founded… Continue reading Goya Foods 75th Anniversary 2011

The Mexican Naval Infantry made a dark discovery on August 25, 2010, when they found 72 corpses near the US Mexican border.  The victims were believed to be migrants from Central and South America, murdered by a drug cartel.  This grim incident was the largest single body count since Mexican President Felipe Calderón made his… Continue reading Murder on the Border Crossing 2010

Juanita’s Foods, a leading producer of prepared and homemade style Mexican cuisine, opened its Back to School promotional sweepstakes on August 31, 2009.  The program helped parents and educators struggling to feed their students during The Great Recession, with 50 prizes of $1,000 nationwide.  “One of the primary reasons for the growth of the US… Continue reading Juanita’s Foods Back-to-School 2009

On August 8, 2009, the first Latina Justice of the United States Supreme Court, Sonya Sotomayor, was sworn in to office. Chief Justice John G. Roberts administered the Constitutional Oath.  Sotomayor’s mother attended and held the family Bible for the ceremony.  (Image by UPI/ Steve Petteway) El 8 de agosto de 2009, la primera jueza… Continue reading Sonya Sotomayor Oath of Office 2009

On August 15, 2008, Fernando Armindo Lugo Méndez was inaugurated as President of the nation of Paraguay. Lugo was a Catholic bishop, and resigned from the Church to pursue politics.  His election marked the end of six decades of right wing rule by the military dictatorship, and was bitterly opposed by the regime.  Lugo campaigned… Continue reading Lugo Méndez Inaugurated as President of Paraguay 2008

The US Marines are looking for a few good men – and found a few good women.   On August 2, 2006, Major General Angelina Salinas was the first Latinx woman to earn the appointment of a general officer in the US Marine Corps.  Two days later Salinas assumed her command at the Marine Corps Recruit… Continue reading First Latina Earns Appointment as General Officer in US Marine Corps

On August 14, 2000, one of our most famous and talented 21st century Latinx emerged onto the public stage:  Dora the Explorer! Dora Marquez became a regular series that year on the Nickelodeon cable channel.  Dora is the inspiration of Valerie Walsh Valdes, Chris Gifford and Eric Weiner.  Dora is eight years old, and embarks… Continue reading Dora the Explorer debuts 2000

August 10, 1998 marked the inaugural opening of the Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives.  The mission of the center is to disseminate and advance understanding and knowledge of the contributions of Latinas and Latinos to the culture, society, history, arts, and sciences of the US.   The Center’s web site features a Virtual Museum, online collections,… Continue reading Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives 1998

On August 11, 1997, Publisher’s Weekly announced that Josefina Montoya, the latest American Girl in the Pleasant Company collection of historical dolls, would debut in September.  Maria Josefina Montoya is a nine-year old Latina living in northern New Mexico in 1824. Josefina and her three sisters live on a rancho near Santa Fe, and are… Continue reading Latinx Heritage in American Girl Dolls 1997

Happy Birthday to writer Luis Alberto Urrea, born on August 20, 1955 in Tijuana, Mexico.  His father was Mexican and his mother was New Yorker; Urrea was born in Mexico and raised in San Diego from the age of 3. He earned his BA at the University of California at San Diego, and his MA… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Luis Alberto Urrea 1955

On August 29, 1989, the first Latina woman to serve in the US Congress began her first term.  Ileana Ros-Lehtinen was born in Havana, Cuba on July 15, 1952, and immigrated to the US with her family when she was 7. She earned a BA and MS from Florida International University, and began her career as… Continue reading First Latina Woman Serves in the US Congress 1989

Happy Birthday to singer and actress Alexa Vega, born on August 27, 1988 in Miami, Florida.  Vega’s father was from Colombia and her mother is a norteamericana and former model.  Even at her young age, Vega already has a long career in television, beginning with Burt Reynolds’ TV series, “Evening Shade”.  Vega has sung on… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Alexa Vega 1988

On August 9, 1988, US President Ronald Reagan nominated Lauro Fred Cavazos as Secretary of Education.  Cavazos was the first Latinx to hold a cabinet post, which was really big.  He earned a BA in zoology, an MA in cytology, and a Ph D in physiology. Cavazos also served as college president and professor and is… Continue reading Lauro Fred Cavazos, Secretary of Education 1988

August 21, 1987 was the release date of the comedy, “Born in East LA”, written and directed by Cheech Marin of the Cheech & Chong comedy team.  The film centers on a US citizen, Rudy Robles, mistakenly deported to Mexico in an immigration raid.   Rudy struggles through Mexican, unable to speak Spanish, using his only… Continue reading “Born in East LA” 1987

The mile high airwaves of Denver, Colorado, were rocked with a new sound, as the first bilingual radio station in Denver made its debut on August 29, 1985.  The station was the fulfilled dream of Florence Hernández-Ramos , the first Latina female president and general manager of a public radio station.   The station has a jazz format;… Continue reading First Bilingual Radio Station in Denver 1985

On August 27, 1985, audiences cheered as 14 year old Mary Joe Fernandez won a main draw match at the women’s US Open in the first round.  Fernandez was born in the Dominican Republic, and immigrated to the US as a child with her family.  Fernandez continued this dazzling start to her career, placing as… Continue reading Mary Joe Fernandez wins a Main Draw Match 1985

August 21, 1974 is the effective date of the Equal Educational Opportunities Act (EEOA), a federal law that prohibits discrimination against faculty, staff and students, including racial segregation of students, on the basis of race, color, gender, or national origin.  The law requires a school district to take action to overcome barriers to students’ equal… Continue reading Equal Educational Opportunities Act 1974

On August 17, 1973, Mexican American golfing superstar Lee Trevino hit his first hole-in-one on a professional tour.  Growing up in Texas, his impoverished family lived in a house with no running water or electricity – but it was at the back of a field next to a golf course.  Trevino made his first golf… Continue reading Lee Trevino Hits his First Hole-in-one On a Professional Tour 1973

Happy birthday to Cameron Michelle Diaz born on August 30, 1972, in San Diego, California. Her father is Cuban American and her mother has a heritage of German, English, and Native American ancestry.  Diaz had planned to study zoology, but life intervened in the form of a Hollywood party, where as a dazzlingly beautiful teen-ager… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Cameron Michelle Diaz 1972

Happy Birthday to singer and actress Ariadne Thalia Sodi y Miranda born on August 26, 1972, in Mexico City, Mexico.  Thalia, as she is known to her legions of fans worldwide, began her career at age 4. She has starred in a host of entertainment formats:  singing groups, stage musicals, movie and video, TV-variety shows,… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Ariadne Thalia Sodi y Miranda 1972

On August 22, 1971, Hugo Banzer Suárez took power as the President of Bolivia in a military coup.  The politician, military general and dictator was another less than illustrious graduate of the US Defense Department’s School of the Americas.  He was also trained at Fort Hood Armored Cavalry School in Texas and spent time in… Continue reading Hugo Banzer Suárez inaugurated President of Bolivia

Happy Birthday to tennis star Mary Joe Fernandez, born on August 19, 1971 in the Dominican Republic.  Her family immigrated to Florida when she was an infant.  She was swinging her first tennis racket at age 3. By age 13, she won both the US Tennis Association Championship and the US Clay Court Championship.  Fernandez… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Mary Joe Fernandez 1971

The shots cracked through the hot dry summer air, and three men were killed, including Ruben Salazar, a noted Los Angeles Times columnist and local TV station manager.  An anti-war demonstration against the unpopular Vietnam War was raging in Laguna Park in East Los Angeles on August 29, 1970.  The protest organized by the National… Continue reading Death of Three Good Men 1970

After a close election with a former military dictator, Misael Pastrana Borrero, a lawyer and former business executive, began his term as President of Colombia on August 7, 1970.  A lawyer and business executive, Borrero began his public service as a diplomat to the Vatican, and also served as Colombia’s Ambassador to the US and… Continue reading Misael Pastrana Borrero, President of Colombia 1970

Happy Birthday to Cesar Millan, known worldwide as “The Dog Whisperer”.  Millan was born on August 27, 1969 in Culiacan, Mexico.  He first began working with dogs while farming with his grandfather.  His goal was to become the best dog trainer in the world and to go to Hollywood, grand goals considering that he had… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Cesar Millan 1969

On August 11, 1967, editor and civil rights activist Ana Maria Perera became a US citizen.  Perera was born in Cuba, and earned her masters and doctorate at the University of Havana.  She began her professional career on the technical staff of the Organization for American States, and later worked at the United Nations. She is… Continue reading Ana Maria Perera becomes a US citizen 1967

On August 5, 1964, Navy pilot Everett Alvarez was the first US aviator shot down during the Vietnam War. He endured 8 years and 7 months of brutal captivity as an enemy combatant by the North Vietnamese. Alvarez served on the President’s Task Force to improve Health Care Delivery for our Nation’s Veterans.  He earned… Continue reading Everett Alvarez, War Hero 1964

On August 9, 1963, civil rights leaders marched through downtown Los Angeles, California to protest the city’s failure to integrate its schools.  Among them was superstar Rita Moreno, a Puerto Rican actress, singer, dancer and political activist.  This was not Moreno’s first contribution to the civil rights movement; she also supported campaigns led by the… Continue reading Rita Moreno, Star Civil Rights Activist 1963

Happy Birthday to Republican Governor Brian Edward Sandoval, born on August 5, 1963, in Redding, California.  When he took office in 2011, Sandoval was the first Latino elected to this post in Nevada.  Sandoval was also the first Latino in Nevada elected as Attorney General and appointed as a US district judge.  Sandoval earned a… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Republican Governor Brian Edward Sandoval 1963

Happy Birthday to movie star Demián Bichir Nájera, born on August 1, 1963 in Mexico City, Mexico. His family is in the entertainment business, and Nájera first traveled to the US with an acting troop at age 14.  While he has been a celebrity in Mexico, his first big splash in el Norte was the… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Demián Bichir Nájera 1963

Spanish language television history was made on August 8, 1962, with the debut of “Sabado Gigante” (Giant Saturday) on Chilean television. The creation of Chilean native Don Francisco (born Mario Kreutzberger Blumenfeld), this television show is one of the most popular in the world.  The variety show features comedy, dance, music, and audience contests. In 1986,… Continue reading Debut of “Sabado Gigante” 1962

Happy Birthday to the talented Antonio Banderas, actor, singer, producer, and director, born on August 10, 1960 in Malaga, Spain.  He began acting in street theaters at age 14.  As he recounted in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, “I remember I couldn’t even (afford to) take a bus, so I had to walk six miles… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Antonio Banderas 1960

Happy birthday to Madeline Stowe-Mora, born on August 18, 1958 in Eagle Rock, California.  Her mother emigrated from Costa Rica.  Mora graduated from the University of Southern California film school, intent on being a film director.  She starred in miniseries such as “The Gangster Chronicles” and “Blood and Orchids”; her breakout role was 1992’s “Last… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Madeline Stowe-Mora 1958

Happy Birthday to Alberto Salazar, one of the USA’s most talented marathon runners, born in Havana, Cuba on August 7, 1958.  His father fought in Castro’s rebel army, but became disillusioned with Castro and Che Guevera, and immigrated to Florida in 1960.  Salazar trained at the University of Oregon, where his coach instructed him to… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Alberto Salazar 1958

Happy Birthday to Alberto Gonzalez, born on August 4, 1955, in Houston, Texas. Gonzalez and his seven brothers and sisters grew up in a two-bedroom house without hot water or a telephone. Gonzalez graduated from Rice College and received his law degree from Harvard University. Gonzalez worked at a law firm in Texas, and began his meteoric… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Alberto Gonzalez 1955

With a shake and splash of rum, the famed national drink of Puerto Rico, the piña colada, was officially created on August 16, 1954. The momentous event occurred at the Caribe Hilton’s Beachcomber Bar in San Juan, Puerto Rico by cocktail artist and bartender Ramón “Monchito” Marrero. Monchito had been tasked with creating a new signature… Continue reading Creation of the Piña Colada 1954 Puerto Rico

Happy Birthday to politician Lincoln Díaz-Balart, born in Havana, Cuba on August 13, 1954. When he was four years old, his family fled from Cuba in 1959. Unlike today, Balart and his family were welcomed in El Norte; no paperwork for DACA, DAPA, or DREAMers was required. Balart was educated in Europe and the US, earning his… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Lincoln Díaz-Balart 1954

Happy Birthday to novelist Oscar Jerome Hijuelos, born in New York City on August 24, 1951. Hijuelos is the first Latino to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, which he was awarded for his story, “The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love.”   This book was adapted as a movie in 1992 and as a Broadway… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Oscar Jerome Hijuelos 1951

Happy Birthday to politician and public servant Stephanie Gonzales, born on August 12, 1950 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  Gonzales’ father emigrated from Mexico; her mother’s family has been in the state for over 400 years.  Gonzales graduated from the Loretto Academy for Girls in Santa Fe.  Gonzales has served in State Government for over… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Stephanie Gonzalez 1950

Happy Birthday to documentary film producer and anthropologist Paul Espinosa, born on August 8, 1950, in Alamosa, Colorado.  Espinosa earned a BA from Brown University and an MA and Ph D from Stanford.  He has created numerous award winning documentaries and films, funded by organizations such as the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the National Endowment… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Paul Espinosa, Scholar and Songwriter 1950

Happy birthday to Lydia Villa-Komaroff, an award winning molecular biologist born on August 7, 1947, in Las Vegas, New Mexico.  Villa is of Spanish and Mexican heritage.  Villa earned her Ph D in cellular biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She has taught and conducted research at several prominent hospitals, including Harvard Medical School and… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Dr. Lydia Villa-Komaroff, Scientist 1947

On August 23, 1945, Medal of Honor winner Silvestre Santana Herrera rolled his wheelchair across the White House lawn to receive his award from President Harry Truman.  Herrera was a soldier in the US Army, and received the medal for his heroic actions during World War II, in France. He charged an enemy position and… Continue reading Silvestre Santana Herrera, War Hero awarded Medal of Honor 1945

Happy Birthday to Dr. Antonia Coello Novello, pediatrician and US Surgeon General, born on August 23, 1944 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico.  Novello is the first woman, first Latina, and first Puerto Rican appointed as US Surgeon General.  At her swearing in ceremony at the White House, Novello quipped, “The American dream is alive and well… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Dr. Antonia Coello Novello 1944

During World War II, workers in North America were in short supply as the US labor force supported the war effort. On August 4, 1942, the US and Mexican governments signed the Mexican Farm Labor Program Agreement, to legalize and control Mexican farm workers along the border.  Known as the “Bracero [manual laborer] Program”, it stipulated… Continue reading Mexican Farm Labor Program Agreement 1942

Happy Birthday to award winning novelist and political activist Isabel Allende, born in Lima, Peru on August 2, 1942.  Her father was a Chilean diplomat and her uncle was former Chilean President, Salvador Allende.  Salvador Allende was assassinated in a coup widely believed to be engineered by the CIA.  Isabel, then a journalist, and her… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Isabel Allende 1942

August 1, 1942 is the birthday of musician Jerry Garcia, a member of the iconic North American band, The Grateful Dead.   Garcia was the son of a Spanish ballroom jazz musician, and was born in San Francisco, California.  Garcia had a complicated life, with family tragedy and struggles with drug addiction, haloed by brilliant and… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Jerry Garcia, Rock Star 1942

In our series of Latinos-That-You-Didn’t-Know-Are-Latinos, August 3, 1940, is the birthday of Ramón Antonio Gerard Estévez, also known as Martin Sheen.  Sheen’s father was an immigrant from Galicia, Spain.  Sheen is an award-winning actor, and an activist for workers’ rights and the environment.  Sheen has been arrested over 60 times for exercising his US constitutional… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Ramón Antonio Gerard Estévez 1940

Happy Birthday to Remedios Díaz-Oliver, who was born on August 22, 1938, in Havana, Cuba.  As a well-educated young woman, Oliver had aspired to be a college professor, but that was before the Cuban Revolution and Fidel Castro’s rise to power.  Díaz-Oliver was jailed in Cuba for protesting government mail inspections.  In 1961, after her… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Remedios Díaz-Oliver, Immigrant Entrepreneur 1938

Roberto Clemente, the revered humanitarian and stellar baseball player, was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico on August 18, 1934.  Clemente was a phenomenal athlete and a complex human being.  He was a strong advocate of civil rights, and a dedicated supporter and associate of the Reverend Martin Luther King.  He wrote poetry, played the organ,… Continue reading Roberto Clemente, Humanitarian and Sportsman 1934

Happy Birthday to Herman Badillo, born on August 21, 1929.  Badillo is the first Puerto Rican born citizen to represent a district in the US Congress.   After the death of both of his parents, he moved from Puerto Rico to New York City at age 11 to live with his aunt.  He earned a BA… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Herman Badillo 1929

August 6, 1922 is the birthday of David Cardús, a physician and specialist in cardiology and biomathematics, born in Barcelona, Spain.  Cardús was renowned for his work with mathematical and computer applications for the study of physiological systems.  He also designed the centrifuges to study artificial gravity.  After spending his early career in Europe, he… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Dr. David Cardús 1922

Roque Cordero, famed composer and conductor, was born in Panama City, Panama on August 16, 1917. Cordero was educated at the University of Minnesota in the US.  He was a guest conductor on stages in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Panama, Spain, and the US. Cordero received numerous awards for his work, including a Guggenheim fellowship.… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Roque Cordero, Musician 1917

With the roaring of rushing waters through expertly engineered locks, the first ship cruised through the Panama Canal on August 15, 1914.  The construction of a waterway to link the world’s greatest oceans had been considered by the Spanish, attempted by the French, and finally completed by the Americans.  The building of the canal was… Continue reading First Ship Cruises Through the Panama Canal 1914

His last hours on earth were spent working on his lifelong passion. José Maria Velasco was considered one of the most important Mexican painters of the 19th century, and one of the greatest landscape painters in history.  Veslasco was born in Temascaltzingo, Mexico, in 1840.  At the age of 18, he entered the Art Academy of… Continue reading Death of José Maria Velasco, World Renowned Artist

Many people would have given up on an adventurous, creative life after being blinded in an unfortunate accident at a young age, but not Arsenio Rodríguez.  The talented musician and band leader became known as “El Ciego Maravilloso” (the marvelous blind man) as he whirled African rhythms and the sounds of conga drums through Cuban… Continue reading Happy Birthday to “El Ciego Maravilloso” 1911

Cantinflas, a celebrated comedic actor, was born Mario Moreno Reyes on August 12, 1911, in Mexico City, Mexico.  Cantinflas was from a poor family, and as a child, he was a street performer to earn money.  In 1937, Cantinflas married his wife and lifelong collaborator, Valentina Subareff.  He worked his way to Hollywood, where fellow… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Cantinflas, Comedian and Humanitarian 1911

August 3, 1905 is the birthday of Dolores del Rio, born in Durango, Mexico.  Known as the female Valentino (or should we say that Valentino was the male Del Rio?), Del Rio was the queen of Hollywood nights, starring in more than 50 films.  A world traveler who learned several languages, Del Rio spent her… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Dolores del Rio, Hollywood Star 1905

August 6, 1902 is the birthday of Alice Dickerson Montemayor, born in Laredo Texas (1902-1989).  She graduated from high school in 1924 and attended night school at Laredo Business College, exceptional achievements for a Mexican-American from her impoverished background.   Montemayor was a pioneering political activist, and was the first woman elected to several national posts… Continue reading Alice Dickerson Montemayor, Activist 1902

On August 13, 1898 during the Spanish American War, US forces drove the Spanish out of Manila in the Philippines.  Manila had been a Spanish colony since the 16th century. According to one report, US commanders were unaware of a ceasefire that was signed with the Spanish on the previous day.  A more cynical interpretation is… Continue reading US forces drive Spanish out of the Philippines 1898

August 14, 1896 is the birthday of politician, officer and gentleman, Joachim Fernández, born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Fernández began his public service career as a tariff agent, and was elected to the state legislature in 1923.  He was later elected to the US House of Representatives and reelected four times.  Fernández served in Congress during… Continue reading Congressman Joachim Fernández 1896

On August 28, 1891, US troops landed in Chile without visas or documents, to “protect” the American consulate in Valparaiso, Chile. This was the US version of events; to many Chileans, this was an invasion of their sovereign nation. A civil war was raging between the Chilean president and the Chilean military. Civilians had taken refuge… Continue reading Undocumented US forces invade Chile 1891

August 12, 1866 is the birthday of Jacinto Benavente y Martínez, the Nobel Prizing winning Spanish writer and playwright, born in Madrid, Spain. Martinez wrote and staged 172 plays. Martinez was the youngest son of a successful and influential pediatrician, and grew up with a secure place in Madrid’s comfortable upper class society before the… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Jacinto Benavente y Martínez, Nobel Prize Winner

“Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”  This signature American phrase originated on August 5, 1864, during the Battle of Mobile Bay, with Latino Admiral David Farragut.  Farragut was the son of a Spanish immigrant who fought for the US in the American Revolutionary War.   The Battle of Mobile Bay was a crucial Union victory in… Continue reading Latino Hero at the Battle of Mobile Bay 1864

On August 16, 1863, the Dominican Restoration War began when Dominican hero Gregorio Luperón launched a daring raid to raise the Dominican flag in the nation’s capital.  The Dominicans had won their freedom 17 years earlier, but were recolonized by the Spanish after internal political and economic turmoil.  The bloody and deadly guerilla war lasted… Continue reading The Dominican Restoration War Begins 1863

On August 24, 1854, the National Emigration Convention of Colored People convened in Cleveland, Ohio.  The US in the fourth year of the long, bloody, American Civil War (1861-1865) over slavery.  The leader of the movement, Martin R. Delany, proposed a practical plan for African-Americans in the US to emigrate to the West Indies or… Continue reading National Emigration Convention of Colored People 1854

On August 6, 1825, Bolivia declared its independence from Spain, which was finally recognized by the Spanish in 1847.  Bolivia was part of the mighty Incan Empire, conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century.  The country was named for Simon Bolivar, the “George Washington of South America”, who led wars of independence across the… Continue reading Bolivian Independence Day 1825

Relationships between leading personalities in the South and North Americas were close during the late 18th century.  President Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the US and the writer of the Declaration of Independence, was a good friend of Brazilian intellectual Abbe Correa de Serra.  Serra visited Jefferson several times at Jefferson’s home in Monticello,… Continue reading Abbe Correa de Serra and Thomas Jefferson 1813

August 4, 1793 is the birthday of José Mariano Hernández, an American politician, plantation owner, and soldier.  Hernández was born in Saint Augustine when it was a Spanish holding, and became a loyal US citizen when the territory became part of the US.  He was the first Latinx to serve in US Congress and the… Continue reading Happy Birthday to José Mariano Hernández, Politician 1793 and Soldier

On August 26, 1792, Manuel Oribe was born into the era of South America’s revolutions. Oribe was a key influence in shaping the formation of his home country of Uruguay.  The independence movement from Spain began in 1811, and Oribe was a strong supporter.  The small country’s history after independence was tumultuous, as it battled the… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Manuel Oribe, Revolutionary 1792

On August 23, 1783, a cordial meeting with held between diplomat of the rebel North American colonies, Michael Carmichael, and the Spanish monarch, King Carlos III. Carmichael was presented as the Chargé de’Affairs of the United States, an official of a sovereign nation.  Recognizing the tiny United States of America by a powerful monarch was… Continue reading Spanish Diplomacy with North American Rebels 1783

In the summer of 1781 – which was so crucial to the victory of the American Revolutionary War — the French war fleet positioned in the Caribbean sailed north to assist the rebels. On August 30, 1781, to the joy of General George Washington, the fleet arrived in the Chesapeake Bay.  The French were financed and… Continue reading French Fleet and Mexican Pesos Aid the American Revolution 1781

August 20, 1778 is the birthday of Chilean independence leader, Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme.  O’Higgins fought with José de San Martín to free Chile from Spanish rule.   O’Higgins studied in London as a young man, where he met Venezuelan freedom fighter, Francisco de Miranda.  As were many of the US Founding Fathers, O’Higgins was a Mason. … Continue reading Happy Birthday to Bernardo O’Higgins Riquelme 1778

On August 10, 1680, the Native Americans launched the Great Pueblo Revolt against the Spanish colonists.  Missions were destroyed, 21 Franciscans were killed, and 2,000 Spanish colonists were driven out of New Mexico. The Spanish did not return until 1692. The revolt was in response the Spanish Governor’s arrest of 47 Pueblo medical doctors, who were accused… Continue reading The Start of the Great Pueblo Revolt 1680

On August 28, 1565, Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés sighted the verdant, palm covered land that eventually became the US state of Florida.  This date was the feast day of Saint Augustine, and Aviles named the territory after him. The land was already civilized and owned by the First Nation of the Seminoles, but… Continue reading Pedro Menéndez de Avilés sights Florida 1565

On August 22, 731, a Mayan ruler in the Late Classic Mayan empire came to power in Piedras Negras, and his ascent was immortalized in stone.  This stone sculpture, called a stela, shows the ruler at the top of  a scaffold framed by a skyband with a celestial bird.  A dead sacrificial victim lays across… Continue reading Piedras Negras, 8th Century Mayan Ruler