Feliz Cupliaños a Benito Juárez

Benito Juárez was born nearly two hundred years ago today in the year 1806. Like a lightning bolt, he came into this world to facilitate change and change he did make. Here's a little history about a person who stood up to foreign invasion and won.

   Born to Mesoamerican Indians in Oxaca, Mexico, Benito Juárez was raised by his Uncle after he became orphaned at age three. After studying law and science, he became a politician in 1831 and later both elected judge and governor. Throughout the 1840s and into the 1850s, Juárez worked to transition Mexico's economy from the monopoly of the Roman Catholic Church and European nobles to a capitalistic economy. However, he was forced into exile due to his liberal views for 2 years during the mid 1850s.

  During his exile, Benito Juárez lived in New Orleans, LA but was soon called back home to Mexico in 1855 when Juan Álvarez asked him to serve as minister of justice and public instruction. Years later, Benito Juárez became the first indigenous President of Mexico in 1861. Years later, the French invasion under control of Napolean III through his puppet, Maximilian (Austrian arhcduke), forced Juárez to leave Mexico City in 1867. By continuously retreating, Benito Juárez landed safely in El Paso del Norte, later named Juárez. Because of the continued pressure from home, pressure from US forces, and Mexican resistance to his rule, Napolean III withdrew from Mexico allowing Juárez to return home once again.

  Maximilian was later captured by Mexican forces and executed. Benito Juárez took seat as President of Mexico once again. Political upset and controversy created a turmoil in his reelections that finally ended Juárez's life in 1872. He dies of a heart attack. 

  Benito Juárez lived a life of bravery and reform. His constant fight to change the controlling ways of invaders and prejudices against his indigenous heritage facilitated change that took Mexico eventually into its independence. Benito Juárez is a national hero whose strength is honored and his bravado commended by millions today

photo shot at Aro Ha