Simon Bolivar Fact Sheet: Who was Simon Bolivar? The following short biography and fact sheet provides interesting facts about the life, times and history of Simon Bolivar.

Simon Bolivar Fact File Biography: Lifespan: 1783 - 1830 *** Full Name: Simon Jose Antonio de la Santisima Trinidad Bolivar y Palacios *** Occupation: Venezuelan Military and Political Leader *** Date of Birth: Simon Bolivar was born on July 24th 1783 *** Place of Birth: Simon Bolivar was born in Caracas, Captaincy General of Venezuela, Spanish Empire *** Family background: His father was Coronel Don Juan Vincente Bolivar y Ponte and decedent from the Ardanza family along the maternal line and his grandmother’s family was originally from the Canary Islands before settling in Spain in the Basque Country where they became aristocrats and his mother was Dona Maria de la Concepcion Palacios y Blanco *** Early life and childhood: He grew up with two older sisters and a brother, Maria Antonia, Juana and Juan Vicente *** Education: Simon Bolivar was educated in swimming and horse riding as well as human rights, politics, history, liberty and sociology ***

Simon Bolivar Fact 1: Simon Bolivar was born on July 24th 1783 and during the 18th century period in history when France and America both went through revolutions and the Industrial Revolution began in Britain.

Simon Bolivar Fact 2: For a brief time Simon was entrusted to the care of Dona Ines Manceba de Mirares but he would be returned to his parents loving care but before Simon was three years old his father had died in his sleep.

Simon Bolivar Fact 3: By the time he was nine years old he would find himself an orphan when his mother died as he approached nine years of age.

Simon Bolivar Fact 4: At fourteen years of age he was enrolled at the Military Academy Milicias de Veraguas.

Simon Bolivar Fact 5: During his time there he developed a passion for military strategy, armaments and liberty which he would utilize in time.

Simon Bolivar Fact 6: Several years later he was in Paris and would be witness to Napoleon’s coronation in Notre Dame. This event left a lasting impression on him.

Simon Bolivar Fact 7: In 1807 he made his return to Venezuela and in 1810 a coup took place which resulted in a de facto independence as the Supreme Junta of Caracas was established.

Simon Bolivar Fact 8: A delegation was sent from the Junta to Britain to obtain recognition as well as aid.

Simon Bolivar Fact 9: They also were able to persuade Francisco de Miranda to return home with them.

Simon Bolivar Fact 10: In 1811 he made his return to La Guaira and the following year a Civil War took place headed by Miranda with Bolivar being promoted to colonel.

Simon Bolivar Fact 11: The following year he was promoted again to colonel and also made commandant of Puerto Cabello. However vast advances were made by royalist Fridate Captain Domingo de Monteverde and San Felipe Castle was taken over by him and Bolivar returned to his home.

Simon Bolivar Fact 12: When Miranda, having decided their cause was lost, made a deal with Monteverde they considered him a traitor and handed him over to the Royalist army who in turn granted a passport to Bolivar who left for Curacao and given a military command in Tunja, in New Granada.

Simon Bolivar Fact 13: On May 24th 1813 when he entered Merida he was seen as El Libertador.

Simon Bolivar Fact 14: By August 1813 Caracas was taken back and Bolivar would be ratified as the liberator and proclaimed the restoration of the Venezuelan republic. Shortly after the republic fell and Bolivar made his return to New Granada.

Simon Bolivar Fact 15: However he came into conflict with the government at Cartagena and so made for Jamaica where he was given no support and an attempt to kill him was made.

Simon Bolivar Fact 16: Instead he made for Haiti where he was offered protection and sanctuary. The President of the newly independent country was Alexandre Petion and the two became friends.

Simon Bolivar Fact 17: He would petition Petion for assistance and would return to Venezuela, however his hopes of gaining independence for Venezuela would not succeed immediately and he settled for gaining independence for New Granada first before trying for Venezuela.

Simon Bolivar Fact 18: After various battles and campaigns including the Battle of Carabobo, the Battle of Bombona and the Battle of Pichincha Bolivar was finally able to liberate Peru.

Simon Bolivar Fact 19: By August of 1825 he had been given the honor of not only being voted President but also had the country named after him, he became President of the Republic of Bolivia.

Simon Bolivar Fact 20: By 1830 he had decided to resign his presidency and head for Europe, however although he had already sent his belongings ahead, on December 17th 1830 Simon Bolivar died of tuberculosis in Santa Marta, Gran Colombia. His body laid to rest in Santa Marta although some years later he would be moved to Caracas and a monument placed over his grave.

Influence and Legacy: Although he had left strict instructions for his personal papers and letters to be destroyed, his aide-de-camp General Daniel F. O’Leary failed to carry out his wishes and in so doing left the world with a wealth of information regarding the thoughts and philosophy’s of a complex man. He had conducted a long term love affair with Manuela Saenz and knowing what O’Leary had done, upon her own death she bequeathed her own personal correspondence from Bolivar to O'Leary.

Short Facts about Simon Bolivar for Kids:
The above short facts detail interesting information about the life, milestones, history and key events that occurred during the life of this famous character, Simon Bolivar. A fast, simple way to present a short biography of Simon Bolivar with important dates and info that provides details such as the date of birth (birthday), place of birth, education, family, work and career. An ideal educational resource for kids, schools, teachers and social studies.