LatAm Troops Crossed the Andes to Liberate Chile, Peru in 1817

Today in Latin American history, an army of 5,423 soldiers, led by General José de San Martín, crosses the Andes from Argentina to liberate Chile and then Peru in 1817.

General José de San Martín’s goal was to enter Chile without being noticed, through unexpected paths, so as to attack the royalist forces by surprise. The ultimate objective was the liberation of Chile from Spanish rule with Argentine forces.

San Martin crossed with 4,000 men, only to end up losing 1/3 of them.

Other events that occurred on this day:

Today in LatAm history, Argentine writer Esteban Echeverría died in 1851

Today in LatAm history, former President of Argentina Bartolomé Mitre who was in office 1862-1868 died in 1906

Today in LatAm history, Peruvian United Nations Secretary General Javier Pérez de Cuéllar was born in 1920

Today in LatAm history, 71.7% of all TVs in the US tuned in to I Love Lucy to watch Desi & Lucy have the baby in 1953

Today in LatAm history, Guatemalan singer Ricardo Arjona who won a Grammy and a Latin Grammy award was born in 1964

Today in LatAm history, Bolivian footballer Jaime Moreno who played for the National team & D.C. United was born in 1974

Today in LatAm history, Argentine footballer Lucho González who plays for the National team & F.C. Porto was born in 1981

Today in LatAm history, Brazilian singer Elis Regina who is regarded as one of the best Brazilian performers of all time died in 1982

Today in LatAm history, Mexican footballer Erick Torres who plays for the National team & C.D. Guadalajara was born in 1993