Benito Juárez

21 March 1806 – 18 July 1872

Benito Juárez was a Mexican liberal statesman of Zapotec origin who served as president of Mexico from 1858 until his death in 1872. He led the liberal side in the War of the Reform, enacted laws separating church and state, and headed the republican resistance that defeated the French Intervention and the empire of Maximilian I. He remains one of the most revered figures in Mexican history.

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Life events

Born in San Pablo Guelatao, Oaxaca
21 March 1806

Benito Juárez was born to Zapotec peasant parents in the mountain village of San Pablo Guelatao and was orphaned as a young child.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Moved to the city of Oaxaca
1818

At the age of twelve, speaking only Zapotec, Juárez walked to Oaxaca City to seek an education and worked in the household of a lay Franciscan.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Earned a law degree from the Institute of Sciences and Arts of Oaxaca
1834

Juárez studied law at the Institute of Sciences and Arts in Oaxaca and qualified as a lawyer.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Margarita Maza
31 July 1843

Juárez married Margarita Maza, daughter of the Oaxaca family in whose household he had once worked.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Served as governor of Oaxaca
1847 – 1852

Juárez served as governor of the state of Oaxaca, gaining a reputation for honesty and administrative competence.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Exiled to New Orleans by Santa Anna
1853 – 1855

After Antonio López de Santa Anna returned to power, Juárez was arrested and exiled, spending part of his exile in New Orleans among fellow liberal conspirators.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Issued the Juárez Law as Minister of Justice
23 November 1855

As minister of justice under President Juan Álvarez, Juárez promulgated the Ley Juárez, curtailing the special legal privileges of the clergy and the military.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became president of Mexico during the War of the Reform
January 1858

As president of the Supreme Court, Juárez assumed the constitutional presidency when conservatives ousted President Comonfort, leading the liberal government through the Reform War.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Restored the republic after defeating the French-backed empire
15 July 1867

After years of leading resistance to the French Intervention, Juárez re-entered Mexico City following the defeat and execution of Emperor Maximilian I.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in office in Mexico City
18 July 1872

Juárez died of a heart attack while still serving as president of Mexico.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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