On March 21, 1806, Benito Juárez was born. It is a day that all México celebrates. After all, we deserve a long weekend to celebrate our favorite forefather.
You may have heard of Benito Juárez; you may even know he was a president of Mexico. But Juárez was not simply a president. He was a hero. In a time when indigenous people rarely had a place in leadership, Juárez defied the odds to forge a new life- starting at the age of 13.
Let’s look at some facts of his life:
Juárez was born in 1806 in San Pablo Guelatao, a small village in the Sierra Madre mountains of Oaxaca to Zapoteca parents that he never really knew. Orphaned at age 3, raised by grandparents and then by his uncle, Juárez’s early life was typical of the time: Working in the fields as a young boy, illiterate, no education- not even to learn Spanish. He, his family and the village only spoke Zapoteca. At age 13, he left that life to begin a new one, 55 kilometers (35 miles) away in the city of Oaxaca, where his older sister lived. He walked there.
Juárez worked in the city of Oaxaca as a laborer until, some would say, Providence took over. Franciscan friar Don Antonio Salanueva took Juárez under his wing and his education began; Juárez was taught Spanish as well as to read. He enrolled in the local seminary school and received his high school diploma at age 21. Originally studying to be a priest, he switched to law (with the blessing of his friar friend!); receiving his law degree at age 28. His political life began at age 25 as a town hall councilor, local congressman at age 27, civil judge at age 35, federal congressman at age 40 and governor of Oaxaca in 1847 at age 41.
Juárez was exiled along with many other liberals in 1853 when president Santa Anna returned from exile to the presidency. Juárez was among the leaders that overthrew Santa Anna in 1855. Under the new presidency, Juárez was made head of the ministry of justice. He returned to Oaxaca as governor in 1856. Another presidency and more unrest, Juárez issued the Reform Laws separating church from State and transfer of church property to the nation.
In 1857, Juárez was made interim president. He was elected president in his own right in 1861, and continued to be re-elected and served until his death.
Juárez came to power in a time of great political unrest which would see him exiled from Mexico City to govern from different areas during the French Intervention, returning to presidency to deal with rebellions and insurrections. Juárez died in office of a heart attack on 18 July 1872 at age 66.
I have heard Benito Juárez called the “Abraham Lincoln of Mexico”. Lincoln’s claim to fame was paving the road to abolishing slavery. That, plus being honest (“Honest Abe”, anyone?!). Actually, Juárez was the contemporary of Abraham Lincoln in many respects. Besides the timing of their respective presidencies amongst civil unrest, both were born very poor and had to work hard towards education. I grew up with the picture in mind of Lincoln learning to read late at night in candlelight in a log cabin. They were known for their honesty and hard work for liberty, unity and justice for all. I have read that they corresponded and held great respect for each other. While that may or may not be true (no actual letters have been found), I like to think that was true. The 6 ft 4 inch tall very white Lincoln and the 4 ft 6 inch tall very dark indigenous Juárez may have looked like complete opposites, but they were certainly on the same wavelength.
Those are all the facts. I suppose one could say that his character could be seen through his actions, while others might say that history makes later generations view historical figures as larger than life. Is that the case with him? While he was just a man and was no more perfect than any of us; he made mistakes. But let’s remember the positive- what he left behind. He left behind quite a legacy, and writings for future generations to study and learn from. These 6 quotes of his are just a sampling:
- “La instrucción es la base de la prosperidad de un pueblo.” Education is the basis of the prosperity of a people.
- “La constancia y el estudio hacen a los hombres grandes, y los hombres grandes son el porvenir de la Patria.” Constancy and study make men great, and great men are the future of the country .
- “Entre los individuos, como entre las Naciones, el respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz.” Among individuals, as among Nations, respect for the rights of others is peace.
- “Libre, y para mi sagrado, es el derecho de pensar… La educación es fundamental para la felicidad social; es el principio en el que descansan la libertad y el engrandecimiento de los pueblos.” Free, and for me sacred, it is the right to think … Education is fundamental for social happiness; it is the principle on which freedom and the aggrandizement of peoples rest.
- “Los hombres no son nada, los principios lo son todo.” Men are nothing, principles are everything.
- “El primer gobernante de una sociedad no debe tener más bandera que la ley; la felicidad común debe ser su norte, e iguales los hombres ante su presencia, como lo son ante la ley; sólo debe distinguir el mérito y la virtud para recompensarlos; al vicio y al crimen para procurar su castigo.” The first ruler of a society should have no more flag than the law; common happiness should be its north, and men equal in its presence, as they are before the law; he only has to distinguish between merit and virtue to reward them; to vice and crime to seek their punishment.
Benito Juárez stood up for equal rights for indigenous people, education and was dedicated to democracy and reform.
Juárez was given this name by his contemporaries:
“Benemérito de las Américas” – Deserving of the Americas’ praise.
Ready to impress your Mexican neighbors? Say to any Mexican this phrase: El respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz, and they will respond with a huge smile. For that is the most well-known saying of our beloved Benito Juárez:
“Respect for the rights of others is peace.”
