Who was General Jose de San Martin?

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid a wreath at the memorial of General Jose de San Martin, who is regarded as a national hero in Argentina on July 4.

• PM Modi visited Plaza San Martin and laid a wreath at the memorial. 

• He paid respects to General Jose de San Martín, recognising his enduring legacy as the liberator of Argentina and several other South American nations. 

• The monument was created in 1862 by French sculptor Louis Joseph Daumas.

Who was General Jose de San Martin?

• Jose Francisco de San Martin y Matorras was born on February 25, 1778, in the small town of Yapeyu, today part of the province of Corrientes.

• In 1811, San Martin retired from the Spanish army and travelled to London with the purpose of joining the independence movements of the continent. 

• In 1812, he arrived in Buenos Aires, where he took a leading role in the emancipation struggle. 

• He founded the Regiment of Grenadiers on Horseback and, with his leadership, won his first victory on American soil in the Battle of San Lorenzo in February 1813.

• His strategic genius led him to plan and execute one of the most memorable feats in military history: the Crossing of the Andes. 

• In 1817, with his army, he crossed the imposing mountain range and achieved independence from Chile after the victory at the Battle of Chacabuco. 

• His campaign then extended to Peru, where in 1821 he proclaimed independence and took over the government as Protector of Peru.

• After his retirement from political and military life, San Martin lived in exile in Europe.

• San Martín died on August 17, 1850 in France. 

• August 17 is a national holiday in Argentina to pay homage to General San Martin and to recognise his role in the emancipation of Argentina, Chile and Peru.

Manorama Yearbook app is now available on Google Play Store and iOS App Store