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Henwas a poor peasant, an orphan, a shepherd and field worker.
Henwas a poor peasant, an orphan, a shepherd and field worker.n
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nLivingnin Mexico, he didn’t speak the official language (Spanish), butninstead the native language of Zapotec.
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nHendidn’t know how to read or write.
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nButnat age 12, in the year 1818, Benito Pablo Juarez Garcia decided tonwalk to the city of Oaxaca de Juarez to attend school. He took a jobnas a servant and learned everything he could as fast as he could.
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nAndnBenito Juarez rose up out of his humble beginnings to become anlawyer. Then a judge. He became governor of the state of Oaxaca.nChief justice. Then president!
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| There are at least four monuments to Benito Juarez in the U.S. This one is in New Orleans. |
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nJuareznserved as president of Mexico for five terms. He resisted the Frenchnoccupation of Mexico, overthrew the Second Mexican Empire, restorednthe republic, and helped modernize the country. He became one of thengreat heroes of Mexico!
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nBenitonJuarez was part of La Reforma, a progressive movementndedicated to democracy, equal rights for indigenous peoples,nseparation of church and state, and reining in organized religion,nespecially the powerful Catholic Church. Unfortunately, after Juarezndied, a dictator named Porfirio Diaz attained power and didn’tnrelease it for 35 years. Eventually the Mexican Revolution restorednthe republic once again. Today, Mexico celebrates Benito Juarez andnhis ideas.
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nQuotesnfrom Benito Juarez:
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nn“Amongnindividuals, as among nations, respect for the rights of others isnpeace.”
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nn“Lawnhas always been my shield and my sword.”
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nn“Democracynis the destiny of humanity; freedom its indestructible arm.”
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nAlsonon this date:
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Anniversary of the Moondog Coronation Ball
Anniversary of the Moondog Coronation Ball n
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