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Birth
Simon was born on July 24, 1783, in Caracas, New Granada and today it is known as Venezuela. He moved to Spain in 1799 after the death of his parents. -
Start of Revolution
Simon went back to Venezuela in 1807. Back in Spain, Napoleon named Joseph Bonaparte King of Spain and its colonies including Venezuela. Simon then joined the resistance movement and the resistance group based in Caracas. -
Gaining Support
Simon was called El Libertador (The Libertador). The Civil War had broke out in Venezuela, so Simon had to flee to Jamaica and seek foreign aid. Simon got support then from Haiti. Then decided to return to his home country. He fought in many military battles and eventually claimed many territories. -
Letter from Jamacia
In Jamaica he wrote his famous “Letter From Jamaica”in 1815. In the letter he detailed his vision of a South American republic with a parliament that was set up like England's parliament and a life-long president. He had the idea that he would be the nation’s chief who could not be removed from power. -
The start of freeing Venezuela
Later he began a campaign to free Venezuela from Spain. He and his followers invaded Venezuela on May 14, 1813. The invasion marked the beginning of his “Campana Admirable.” Which resulted to the formation of the Venezuelan Second. -
Gran Columbia
In 1821 the creation of the Gran Colombia, under Simons leadership. Gran Colombia includes much of today Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, and Ecuador. Some later maneuvers saw him named Dictator of Peru in 1824, followed by the creation of bolivia in 1825. -
Uniting South America
Simon had succeeded in uniting most of South America and most without the rule of Spain. Although the government was very fragile. Despite his desire to make a country like the United States of America. Simon named himself dictator in 1828. -
Attempted Assassination
In September, 1828, he had escape an attempted assassination with aid from his Mistress and fellow revolutionary, Manuela Saenz. He resigned his post in 1830 and later made plans to sail to Europe. -
Simon's Legacy
Simon legacy can be seen in many statues and plaza squares throughout South and North America. Several Places in the United States are named in his honor. Statutes and roads that have his name can be found in locations such as Egypt, Australia, and Turkey. -
Death
Simon died on December 17, 1830 (age 47) in Santa Marta, Colombia. The cause of his death was tuberculosis. His wife, Maria Teresa died from yellow fever on January 22, 1803, in Caracas, Venezuela.
