December 17, 1961
JFK VISITS TOMB OF SIMON BOLIVAR
Caracas, Venezuela (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy laid a wreath at the tomb of Simon Bolivar here in Caracas this morning.*
*Simon Bolivar (1783-1830) led the independence movement for six nations & became known as "The Liberator".
He was born in Caracas & was educated in military school.
Simon Bolivar
"The Liberator"
Painting by Ricardo Acevedo Bernal
Simon Bolivar played a major role in the independence movement in Latin America. Through his leadership, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia & Venezuela won their independence from Spain.
Bolivar, who died at the age of 47, is buried in the National Pantheon of Venezuela.
JFK said:
"The new spirit of this hemisphere requires the elimination of all tyranny until this is a continent....of free men living under a system of liberty."
Statue of Simon Bolivar
Washington, D.C.
Photo by Jyothis (2009)
