Portal:Argentina/Selected article/Month 06, 2006
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José Francisco de San Martín (25 February 1778 – 17 August 1850) was an Argentine general and the prime leader of the successful struggle for independence from Spain of the southern nations of South America. He is a national hero in Argentina, Chile and Peru.
San Martín led the rebels against the Spanish at the Battle of San Lorenzo on 3 February 1813, which became the first victory of the Argentine War of Independence. He become governor of the then province of Cuyo. From there, he crossed the Andes and attacked the Royalists in Chile at the beginning of 1817, making a triumphant entry into Santiago de Chile on 17 March 1818. He then prepared for an invasion of Peru by sea, finally entering Lima on 12 July 1821. After an historic meeting with Simón Bolívar, San Martin retired to live a quiet life.