| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
Benito Pablo Juárez García was born in the village of San Pablo Guelatao, Oaxaca. His parents were peasants who died before his fourth birthday. He worked in the corn fields and as a shepherd until the age of 12, then on December 17, 1818, he walked to the city of Oaxaca with a wish to educate himself and find a better life. At the time he was illiterate and could speak no SpanishThis article is about the international language known as Spanish. For other languages spoken in Spain see Languages of Spain Spanish is an Iberian Romance language, and the third or fourth most spoken language in the world. It is spoken as a first langua, only Zapotec.
In the city he took a job as a domestic servant, and eagerly made up for his previous lack of education. A lay FranciscanFranciscans is the common name used to designate a variety of mendicant religious orders of men or women tracing their origin to Francis of Assisi and following the Rule of St. The official Latin name is the Ordo Fratrum Minorum (Order of the "Lesser Brot named Antonio Salanueva was impressed with young Benito's intelligence and thirst for learning, and helped arrange for him to be accepted at the city seminary. He studied there but decided to pursue the law rather than the priesthood. He graduated from the seminary in 1827Events February 20 Battle of Huzaingo February 28 The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad is incorporated, becoming the first railroad offering commercial transportation of both people and freight. March 7 Ellen Turner is abducted The Shrigley Abduction case begins, then studied law.
Juárez became a lawyerA lawyer or attorney at law is a person licensed by the state to advise clients in legal matters and represent them in courts of law and other legal agencies. Most countries today require professional law advisors in their judicial systems. Lawyers have m in 1834Events January 1 Abolition of customs charges at borders within Germany. January 3 The government of Mexico imprisons Stephen F. Austin in Mexico City March 6 York, Upper Canada is incorporated as Toronto. March 18 The Tolpuddle Martyrs, six Dorset farm l and a judgeFor the hardcore band Judge see Judge (band A judge or justice is an appointed or elected official who presides over a court. The powers, functions, and training of judges varies widely from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. A judge can also be simply a quali in 1842Events February 21 John J. Greenough patents the sewing machine. March 5 Over 500 Mexican troops led by Rafael Vasquez invade Texas briefly occupy San Antonio and then head back to the Rio Grande. This is the first such invasion since the Texas Revolution. He was governor of the state of Oaxaca from 1847Events January 4 Samuel Colt sells his first revolver pistol to the United States government. January 13 The Treaty of Cahuenga ends the Mexican-American War in California. January 16 John C. Fremont is appointed Governor of the new California Territory. to 1853, at which time he was sent into exile because of his objections to the corruption of Antonio López de Santa Anna. He spent his exile in New Orleans, Louisiana, working in a cigar factory.
Juárez returned to Mexico in 1855 and joined with the opposition liberales; two years later they triumphed and Juárez was made chief justice and vice-president of Mexico, under president Ignacio Comonfort. The conservadores rebelled and civil war erupted. Juárez succeeded Comonfort as provisional president. Juárez entered Mexico City on January 11, 1861 to reestablish national unity. He was elected President in March of that year for a four year term.
France invaded Mexico in 1862, with plans by Napoleon III to establish a puppet regime there.After fierce fighting, Juárez and his elected government were forced to retreat to the northern part of the country.
Juárez led Mexican opposition to the French invasion and imposition of puppet emperor Maximilian of Habsburg. Maximilian offered Juárez amnesty, and later the post of prime minister, but Juárez refused to accept monarchy or a government imposed by foreigners. In 1867 the last of the French troops and allies of Maximilian were defeated and driven from the land. That same year Juárez was reelected president.
Benito Juárez was a progressive reformer dedicated to democracy, equal rights for the nation's indigenous or Indian population, and lessening the great power the Roman Catholic Church then held over Mexican politics.
Benito Juárez died of a heart attack while working at his desk in the National Palace in Mexico City.
Juárez's famous quotation continues to be well-remembered in Mexico: El respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz, meaning "Respect for the rights of others is peace". It is inscribed on the State Flag of Oaxaca.
The anniversary of Juárez's birth ( March 21) is a national holiday in Mexico (See: Fiestas Patrias).
See also: History of Mexico
Benito Mussolini was named after Juárez by his Socialist father.Juárez has been represented in motion pictures by Paul Muni (1939), Jason Robards, Sr. (1940), Fausto Tozzi (1965), Helmut Schellhardt (1988), and Luis Valdez (1994)
Benito Juárez is a very common geographical name in Mexico. It is used for: