May 18 – Battle of Las Piedras in Uruguay

nPostednMay 18, 2015

nIn the early 1800snSpain had lost control of some of its New World colonies – and wasnin the process of losing even more. On this date in 1811, the Spanishnforces lost a big battle.
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nThe army loyal tonSpain had been forced to abandon Buenos Aires (in what is nownArgentina) the year before, and the soldiers had retrenched in whatnthey called the BandanOriental (theneastern bank of the River Uruguay).
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nThe head of the Spanish forces,nJose Posadas, had about 1,230 men. n
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nThenrevolutionary forces, under Jose Artigas, were outnumbered with onlynabout 1,000 men.
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nButnduring the day’s battle, about 200 changed sides and helped thenrevolutionaries win!
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nNotnonly did Artigas win, he won decisively. And he won with honor. Atnthe time it was unusual to say what he said: “Clemencia para los vencidos, curadna los heridos, respetad a los prisioneros.”nThat means “Mercy to the vanquished; cure the injured; respect the prisoners.”
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nBecausenthe Battle of Las Piedras is considered crucial for the survival ofnthe revolution in Uruguay and Argentina, today is an official holidaynin Uruguay.
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nHerenare some cool things about Uruguay:
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Uruguayn is ranked #1 in all of Latin America in democracy, lack ofn corruption, peace, and quality of living. It is also ranked #1 inn South America in press freedom, size of the middle class, andn prosperity.

Uruguayn is also considered one of the most liberal nations in the world, atn the top of the entire world (with a few other nations) in marriagen equality, personal rights, and issues of tolerance and inclusion.

Uruguayn is also near the top of the world in e-Government andn e-Participation.

“Then Hand” is a sculpture on the beach of five human fingers partiallyn emerging from the sand. It was created by Chilean artist Marion Irarrazabal during an open-air sculpture-off, a meeting of ninen sculptors during the summer of 1982. It is variously called “Mann Emerging into Life,” “Monument of the Fingers,” and “Monumentn to the Drowned.”