Historic Figure: Simón Bolívar - Cartagena, Colombia

Simón Bolívar

Cartagena, Colombia

N 10° 25.398 W 075° 33.070

Short Description: 

A monument honoring Simón Bolívar is located in the center of Parque de Bolívar in the old walled part of the city of Cartagena, Colombia.

Long Description:

Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios Ponte y Blanco was born in Caracas, Venezuela on July 24, 1783. His parents died when he was young and his education was entrusted to several notable teaches, the most influential of which was Don Simón Rodriguez who instilled and he instilled in the young Bolívar the ideals of liberty, enlightenment, and freedom. At the age of 14 he entered the military academy of the Milicias de Veraguas.

On April 19, 1810, the Supreme Junta of Caracas was established, the colonial administrators deposed and Venezuela achieved de facto independence. Bolívar was named to a delegation sent by the Junta to solicit recognition and aid from Great Britain. In 1812, they persuaded Francisco de Miranda to return to Venezuela to conduct a civil war against Spanish rule. Bolívar was promoted to colonel and made commandant of Puerto Cabello.

He was given a military command in Tunja, New Granada (now Colombia). On May 24, 1813 he entered the city of Mérida where he was proclaimed as El Libertador (The Liberator). Thus began the Admirable Campaign that resulted in victory over Spain and the reestablishment of the Republic of Venezuela. Bolívar then turned his attention to gaining independence for New Granada and later consolidate the independence of Venezuela. The campaign for the independence was successful following the victory at the Battle of Boyacá on August 7, 1819.

During his life Bolívar was instrumental in achieving independence for Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru. He died of tuberculosis, in Santa Marta, Colombia, on December 17, 1830 at age 47.

A life-size bronze equestrian statue of The Liberator of five South American countries, Simón Bolívar, depicts the patriot, military commander, and president wearing a dress military uniform astride a horse that has its left front foot raised. Bolívar is wearing a full military dress uniform, including a long tail coat, epaulets, ornate shirt, sash, knee length riding boots, and spurs. He is holding his hat by the brim, upside down, with his outstretched right arm and hand. The holds the reins of he horse in his left hand and has a sword handing from his left hip. The monument was sculpted in Munich by the Venezuelan sculptor Eloy Palacios and erected in Bolívar Park in 1896.

The statue rests on a 15' tall, rectangular, stepped granite base. On each side of the base are recessed, polished granite, panels. The front contains a bronze coat of arms flanked by a pair of crossed flags and topped by a standing eagle with its wings spread. The left side panel is inscribed:

LA AMERICA ENTERA ESPERA SU LIBERTAD 

I SALVACION DE VOSOTROS IMPERTERRITOS

SOLDADOS DE CARTAGENA I DE LA UNION - BOLÍVAR 

{THE WHOLE AMERICA HOPES ITS FREEDOM

I SALVATION FROM YOU IMPERIALISM

CARTAGENA SOLDIERS OF THE UNION - BOLÍVAR}

The back panel is inscribed:

AL PADRE DE LA PATRIA

LA HEROICA CARTAGENA

1896.

{THE FATHER OF THE COUNTRY

THE HERO OF CARTAGENA

1896.}

The right side panel is inscribed:

CARTAGENEROS, SI CARACAS ME DIO LA VIDA

CARTAGENA ME DIO LA GLORIA

SALVE CARTAGENA REDENTORA - BOLÍVAR

{CARTAGENIANS, IF CARACAS GAVE ME LIFE, 

CARTAGENA GAVE ME GLORY

SAVE CARTAGENA REDEEMING - BOLÍVAR}

Historic Figure: Admiral José Padilla - Cartagena, Colombia

Admiral José Padilla

Cartagena, Colombia

N 10° 25.281 W 075° 33.117

Short Description: 

A statue of Colombia's greatest naval hero, Admiral José Padilla is located in a plaza near the Naval Museum in Cartagena, Colombia.


Long Description:

José Prudencio Padilla was born on March 19, 1784 in Bogotá, Colombia. He served as a seaman in the Spanish navy. During the Battle of Trafalgar, October 21, 1805, he was captured by British forces and taken prisoner. He was returned to Spain in 1808 and assigned to the boatswain's arsenal at Cartagena, New Granada (now Colombia). On On April 11, 1811 he supported the people of Cartagena in their quest for independence. In 1815 he served under the General Simón Bolívar in the struggle for independence from Spain. On July 24, 1823 he achieved a brilliant naval victory over the Spanish forces at the Battle of Lake Maracaibo during the war for the independence of Venezuela. Admiral Jose Padilla was instrumental in achieving the independence of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru and was the creator of the first navy of Colombia.

A monument honoring the Admiral Jose Padilla contains a life-size bronze statue of the Admiral on a 5' high base made of stone blocks that has plaques on three sides commemorating the achievements of Admiral Jose Padilla.

The Admiral is standing and wearing an ornate military uniform with epaulets. A decorated outer jacket has a high color and large cuffs. He is wearing knee-length boots and has a sash is tied around his waist. A sheathed sword on his left hip. His left arm is by his side and his right arm is bent at the elbow and a telescope is tucked under his arm.

Bronze plaques on the base describe his military career. The front plaque is inscribed:

ALMIRANTE

JOSE PADILLA

HOMENAJE DE

COLOMBIA A SU MÁXIMO 

HÉROE NAVAL

ADMIRAL

JOSÉ PADILLA

TRIBUTE OF

COLOMBIA TO ITS GREATEST

NAVAL HERO

A side plaque recounts a proclamation he made before the Battle of Lake Mariciabo:

PROCLAMA DEL ADMIRANTE PADILLA
"A TODOS LOS SEÑORES JEFES, OFICIALES,
TRIPULACIONES DE LA ESCUADRA DE MI MANDO"
"COMPAÑEROS:
LA PUERTA DEL HONOR ESTA ABIERTA: EL
ENEMIGO NOS ATRAE Y NOSOTROS LE ESPERAMOS,
¿QUE MAYOR GLORIA PODRIAMOS DESEAR? SUPERIOR
ES SU FUERZA, DE NOSOTROS EL VALOR Y LA DECISION,
¿LE TEMEREMOS? NO; NI EL GENERAL PADILLA, NI LOS
BRAVOS QUE TIENE LA HONORA DE MANDAR VACILAN
JAMAS AL VER AL ENEMIGO A SU FRENTE, SINO POR
EL CONTRARIO, ANSIAN PORQUE LLEGUE ESE MOMENTO,"
"COMPAÑEROS:
YO ESTOY SEGURO QUE LA SUERTE NOS LO PROPORCIONA PARA
DESCANSAR, Y OS A SEGURO LA VICTORIA PORQUE ESTE ES
EL ULTIMO ESFUERZO DE NUESTRO AGONIZANTE ENEMIGO,
VUESTRO GENERAL OS ACOMPAÑARA COMO SIEMPRE
HASTA PERDER LA EXISTENCIA, CONFIADO EN
VUESTRO VALOR Y EN LA JUSTICIA DE NUESTRA CAUSA."
"COLOMBIANOS: MORIR O SER LIBRE!!!"
"A BORDO DEL BERGANTIN DE GUERRA "INDEPENDIENTS"
AL ANGLA EN PUNTA DE PALMAS (LAGO DE MARACAIBO)
JULIO 21 DE 1823

PROCLAMATION OF ADMIRAL PADILLA
"TO ALL THE LORDS LEADERS, OFFICIALS,
MY COMMAND SQUAD CREWS"
"COLLEAGUES:"
HONOR THIS OPPORTUNITY: THE
ENEMY ATTRACTS US AND WE WILL HOPE,
WHAT GREATER GLORY COULD WANT? SUPERIORITY
IS YOUR STRENGTH, COURAGE AND THE DETERMINATION,
DO YOU FEAR? NOT; NEITHER THE GENERAL PADILLA, OR THE
BRAVE THAT HAVE THE HONOR TO BE SENT, NEVER HESITATE
SEEING THE ENEMY TO HIS FRONT, BUT
"INSTEAD, CRUISES TO BE ABLE TO REACH THAT POINT,"
"COLLEAGUES:"
I AM SURE THE LUCK IT PROVIDES FOR
REST, AND OF CERTAIN VICTORY BECAUSE THIS IS
THE LAST EFFORT OF OUR DYING ENEMY,
YOUR GENERAL IS ACCOMPANIED AS ALWAYS
TO LOSE THE EXISTENCE, CONFIDENT IN
"YOUR COURAGE AND JUSTICE OF OUR CAUSE."
"COLOMBIANS: DIE OR BE FREE!"
"ON BOARD OF THE BRIG OF WAR "INDEPENDIENTS""
TO THE ANGLO IN PUNTA DE PALMAS (LAGO DE MARACAIBO)
JULY 21, 1823

A plaque on the right side lists his military achievements and dates.

BATALLAS DE PADILLA
BATALLA DE TRAFALGAR - 21 DE OCTOBRE DE 1,805
TOMA DE CISPATA - 26 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 1,812
TOMA DE SANTA MARTA - 6 DE ENERO DE 1,813
CAPTURA DE LA FRAGATA "NEPTUNO" - JUNIO DE 1,815
COMBATE DE TIERRA BOMBA - 11 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 1,815
COMBATE TERRESTRE DE
LIBERACION DE LA GUAJIRA - 25 DE MAYO DE 1,820
TOMA DE SABANILLA - 11 DE JUNIO DE 1,820
TOMA DE SITIO NUEVO - 27 DE JUNIO DE 1,820
COMBATE DE SAN JUAN DE LA CIENAGA - 10 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 1,820
RETOMA DE SANTA MARTA - 11 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 1,820
NOCHE DE SAN JUAN - 24 DE JUNIO DE 1,821
RENDICION CASTILLOS DE BOCACHIDA - 5 DE JULIO DE 1,821
CAPTURA DEL BERGANTIN "STRUGGLE" - 29 DE JULIO DE 1,821
CAPITULATION DE CARTAGENA-  21 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 1,821
BATALLA DEL LAGO DE MARACAIBO - 24 DE JULIO DE 1,824

BATTLES OF PADILLA
BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR  - 21 OCTOBER OF 1805
TAKING OF CISPATA  - NOVEMBER 26, 1812
TAKING OF SANTA MARTA  - JANUARY 6 OF 1813
CAPTURE OF THE FRIGATE "NEPTUNO"  - JUNE OF 1815
COMBAT OF TIERRA BOMBA  - 11 NOVEMBER 1815
GROUND COMBAT OF THE FREEING OF GUAJIRA  -  MAY 25, 1820
TAKING OF SABANILLA -  11 JUNE 1820
TAKING OF SITIO NUEVO -  27 JUNE 1820
BATTLE OF SAN JUAN OF THE SWAMP -  NOVEMBER 10, 1820
RETURNS OF SANTA MARTA  - 11 NOVEMBER 1820
NIGHT OF SAN JUAN  -  JUNE 24 1821
SURRENDER OF THE CASTLES OF BOCACHIDA  - JULY 5, 1821
CAPTURE OF THE BRIG "STRUGGLE"  -  JULY 29, 1821
CAPITULATION OF CARTAGENA  - 21 SEPTEMBER OF 1821
BATTLE OF LAKE MARACAIBO  -  JULY 24, 1824

Historic Figure: Admiral Blas de Lezo - Cartagena, Colombia

Admiral Blas de Lezo

Cartagena, Colombia

N 10° 25.296 W 075° 32.398

Short Description: 

A statue of Admiral Blas de Lezo, the hero of Cartagena, is located outside the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas in Cartagena.

Long Description:

A monument honoring Admiral Blas de Lezo contains an 8' high bronze statue of the Admiral on a 10' high square stone pedestal. Blas de Lezo is dressed in an ornate military uniform that includes a open knee-length coat with huge ruffled cuffs, a thigh-length buttoned shirt, sash, peg left leg, and a boot on his right leg. He is standing looking towards the sky with his left arm extended slightly above his shoulder. His hand is palm up and is holding a sword. The sculpture was created by Laiz Campos and cast in Madrid, Spain in 1956.

Blas de Lezo y Olavarrieta was born in Pasajes, Guipúzcoa, Spain, on February 3, 1689. He began is naval career in 1701 as a midshipman in the French navy. In 1704, while serving as a crew member in the joint French-Spanish fleet against the British and the Dutch at the Battle of Vélez Málaga he lost his left leg. He quickly rose through the ranks and after the War of Spanish Succession he commanded the flagship Lanfranco as part of the South Seas Fleet. In 1725 he defeated British and Dutch pirates on the Pacific coasts of South America by capturing twelve ships in the process.

Blas de Lezo, as an admiral, became the hero of Cartagena for his victory over the British fleet commanded by Admiral Edward Vernon during the Battle of Cartagena de Indias in 1741, during the War of Jenkins' Ear. The monument to Blas de Lezo has copies of medallions minted by Great Britain that prematurely and erroneously celebrates a victory of Admiral Vernon over Admiral de Lezo.

The front of the base has the coat of arms of Cartagena. The side have a copies of two aforementioned British medallions. The left side medallion depicts three ships of the British fleet laying siege to Cartagena and two of its fortresses and is inscribed:

TRUE BRITISH HEROES TOOK CARTAGENA

DON BLASS

APRIL 1747

The right side medallion shows Admiral Vernon looking down upon the Admiral Blas de Lezo who is shown kneeling on both legs while offering his sword to Admiral Vernon. It is inscribed:

THE SPANISH PRIDE PULLED DOWN BY ADMIRAL VERNON

DON BLASS

A bronze plaque on the ground explains the significance of the medallions. it is inscribed:

MONEDA COMMEMORATIVE ACUÑADA EN

INGLATERRA ANTES DE LA BATALLAQUE VERNON

ESPERABA VENCER PERO QUE FINALMENTE PERDIO

ANTE DON BLAS DE LEZO

COMMEMORATIVE COIN MINTED IN

ENGLAND BEFORE THE BATTLE THAT VERNON

EXPECTED TO WIN BUT FINALLY LOST

BEFORE DON BLAS DE LEZO

The back has the plaque which is inscribed:

LUIZ CAMPOS

ESCULTOR

MADRID (ESPAÑA)

1956

Philatelic Photograph: Inquisition Palace - Cartagena, Colombia

Palacio de la Inquisición 

(Inquisition Palace)

Cartagena, Colombia

N 10° 25.394 W 075° 33.092

Short Description: 

Inquisition Palace (Palacio de la Inquisición) is located on the west side of the Simon Bolivar Park in the old walled part of the city of Cartagena.

Long Description:

Construction of the Inquisition Palace was began in 1610 and established by King Philip III of Spain as the the seat of the Holy Office of the Inquisition in Cartagena. This was the third tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition established in the Spanish Empire.

The Palace was used by Spanish Inquisition to try Jews, Muslims, other non-Catholics, and many other persons believed to be guilty of crimes against the orthodoxy of Catholic church. The Palace held a wide variety of implements of torture and was the site of numerous executions.

The white brick building is a well preserved example of Spanish Colonial architecture. The ornate, Baroque style, stone main entrance in the center of the building is flanked by a series of wooden balconies. Today the Palace serves as a museum displaying torture device and other artifacts of the Inquisition Era in Cartagena.

The upper stamp show the entrance to the Inquisition Palace. It was issued by Colombia in 1996 as part of a set of four stmps showing historical landmarks in Colombia.

The above stamp was issued by Colombia in 1983 to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the founding of Cartagena in 1533. It depicts several of the major structures in Cartagena including: the hilltop la Popa Monastery, fortress walls, the Torre de Reloj (Clock Tower Gateway), the dome of the church of San Pedro Claver, the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Catalina, and, in the lower right hand corner, the Inquisition Palace.

Philatelic Photograph: Torre de Reloj (Clock Tower) - Cartagena, Colombia

Torre de Reloj

(Clock Tower)

Cartagena, Colombia

N 10° 25.385 W 075° 32.945

Short Description: 

The Clock Tower (Torre de Reloj) is Cartagena's signature landmark. It is the southeast gateway entrance into the old walled city of Cartagena and separates the Plaza de la Paz on the outside from the Plaza de Los Coches on the inside.



Long Description:

The eight-sided yellow Clock Tower (Torre de Reloj) is built above the main city gate. The Clock Tower was once the main gateway into the walled city of Cartagena. It was known as Boca del Puente (The Mouth of the Bridge) because is linked the Getsemani neighborhood of Cartagena to the old walled city by means of a drawbridge over a moat. Construction on the tower begun in 1601 and by 1631 the walls surrounding the city were complete.

In 1697 the tower was partially destroyed and then repaired in 1704 by incorporating a Baroque facade and four Tuscan arches. The first four-sided clock was installed in 1874. In 1888 architect Luis Philip Jaspe Franco designed the eight sided Gothic clock tower to showcase the four-sided clock faces. The present Swiss-built clocks replaced the original clocks in 1937.

Each face of the clock has the hours expressed in Roman numerals. The numerals and hands are fabricated out of metal and recessed in a circular niche against a while background surrounded by a side of the yellow tower. The sides without a clock have Gothic louvered windows installed.

The stamp was issued by Colombia as a single pictorial stamp showing the most famous landmark of Cartagena.

Philatelic Photograph: Inglesia de San Pedro Claver - Cartagena, Colombia

Inglesia de San Pedro Claver

(Church of Saint Peter Claver)

Cartagena, Colombia

N 10° 25.306 W 075° 33.054

Short Description: 

The Inglesia de San Pedro Claver (Church of Saint Peter Claver) is located at Calle 31 and Carrera 4 west of the Plaza de la Aduana in Cartagena, Colombia.

Long Description:

Inglesia de San Pedro Claver was established by the Jesuit order of Roman Catholic priests in Cartagena. Between 1580 and 1654 a church, school, monastery, and other buildings were erected. The church was dedicated to Saint Pedro Claver (1581 – 1654), a Jesuit priest who worked tirelessly on behalf of the community of African slaves. The remains of Saint Pedro Claver are visible, interred in of the altar of the church.

Fr. Pedro Claver and African Slave 

When the Jesuits were exiled Cartagena between 1767 until 1896 the site was used as a hospital and then as a military base. It resumed its function as a parish church when the Jesuits returned in 1896.

In 1995, the complex was designated a National Cultural Landmark in Cartagena. Conservation efforts are underway to restore the buildings and grounds.

The stamp was issued by Colombia in 1954 on the 300th anniversary of the death of Saint Pedro Claver.

Philatelic Photograph: Castillo San Felipe de Barajas - Cartagena, Colombia

Castillo San Felipe de Barajas

Cartagena, Colombia

N 10° 25.333 W 075° 32.347

Short Description: 

The sentry box is located on the western part of the Castillo San Felipe de Barajas in Cartagena, Colombia.

Long Description:

The Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is a fortress in the city of Cartagena, Colombia. It is strategically located on the hill of San Lázaro overlooking the old walled part of the City of Cartagena to the east and controlling all other land and sea approaches to the city.

The stone fortress was built by the Spanish during the colonial era between 1536 and 1767. Construction began in 1536, was significantly expanded in 1657, and again in 1763 by Antonio de Arévalo. In 1697, during the War of the Grand Alliance, the castle fell to the French privateer Baron de Pointis. The fortress was recaptured by the Spanish repaired by commander José de Herrera y Sotomayor in 1739. British Admiral Edward Vernon attacked the fortress in the 1741 during the Battle of Cartagena de Indias but was repelled by the Spanish Admiral Blas de Lezo.

The sentry box depicted on the stamp is unique to the fortress and is located on the west end of the fortress walls, overlooking the walled city. It is depicted on an airmail stamp issued by Colombia in 1964. The three dates on the stamp 1811, 1812 and 1815 refer the Colombia declaration of independence from Spain in 1811, the visit of Simon Bolivar in 1812, and the siege of Cartagena in 1815 by a Spanish expeditionary fleet under Pablo Morillo during the war for independence.

Philatelic Photograph: Plaza de la Aduana - Cartagena, Colombia

Plaza de la Aduana

(Customs Square)

Cartagena, Colombia

N 10° 25.330 W 075° 33.016

Short Description: 

Plaza de la Aduana (Customs Square) is a triangular plaza in the southern part of the old walled area of Cartagena.

Long Description:

Plaza de la Aduana is the largest and oldest square in the old part of Cartagena, which was founded in 1533. Under Spanish colonial rule it was surrounded governmental and administrative buildings. It retains much of the colonial architecture.

The large white building on the southwest side (left side of the stamp) is the Alcaldia de Cartagenais, the offices of the City of Cartagena. Peaking over the buildings on the east side (center of the stamp) is the Jesuit operated church of San Pedro Claver. In the plaza is a marble monument to Christopher Columbus, which was dedicated on the 400th anniversary of the Discovery of America, October 12, 1894. The colonial building on the northeast corner (right side of the stamp) is now the Hard Rock Cafe of Cartagena.

For a while the plaza was renamed the Plaza Colón, then the Plaza Rafael Núñez, after the former president of Colombia who was born in Cartagena. Neither name gained the approval of the public and everyone still calls the space the Plaza de la Aduana.

The stamp was issued by Colombia in 1983 to commemorate the 450th anniversary of the founding of Cartagena.

Philatelic Photograph: Cerro de La Popa (Hill of the Stern) - Cartagena, Colombia

Cerro de la Popa 

(Hill of the Stern)

Cartagena, Colombia

N 10° 25.154 W 075° 31.549

Short Description: 

The Cerro de La Popa is the is the highest point in Cartagena, Colombia. On top is a 17th century Augustinian monastery.

Long Description:

This 150 meter high landform that rises above the city of Cartagena was first named by the Spanish in 1510. They called it "Cerro de la Galera" ("Hill of the Galley") because it resembled the hull of a huge sailing ship and they named the top of the hill "La Popa de la Galera" ("Stern of the Galley"). Today it is known as the "Cerro de La Popa."

On its top is the colonial church and convent of the Order of Augustinian Recollects that was built between 1609 and 1611. It is officially called Convento de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria, Our Lady of Candelaria, the patroness of the city of Cartagena. From from 1822 to 1963 the Convent of the Popa was confiscated by civil authorities and ceased to be inhabited by the Augustinian Recollects. Subsequently, the complex was recovered by the Augustinian monks.

The stamp was issued by Colombia in 1902 as part of a series of three pictorial stamps showing scenes of cities on the Caribbean coast of Colombia.

Historic Figure: Catalina (La India Catalina) - Cartagena, Colombia

Catalina

(La India Catalina)

Cartagena, Colombia

N 10° 25.295 W 075° 33.144

Short Description: 

A statue of the native American woman known as Catalina, a.k.a. Catalina Indian, a.k.a. La India Catalina is located in front of the International Film Festival of Cartagena offices on the west end of the old walled city Cartagena.

Long Description:

Catalina (La India Catalina) was a native Colombian woman from the Atlantic Coast who lived from about 1495 to 1529. In 1509 she was abducted by Diego de Nicuesa from her settlement of Zamba o Galerazamba and brought to Santo Domingo, in what is now the present day Dominican Republic. There she was converted to Catholicism and learned to speak Spanish. Subsequently she served an an interpreter to the Native Americans for the Spanish conqueror Pedro de Heredia, founder of the city of Cartagena, as he brought present day Colombia under Spanish dominion. She married Alonso Montañez, the nephew of Pedro de Heredia.

A 6' high bronze cast of Cartagena's landmark statue of La India Catalina (Catalina the Indian) is located in front of the Festival Internacional de Cine de Cartagena de Indias building in the old walled city of Cartagena. Catalina is depicted in indigenous native attire consisting of a string thong and a single feather in the middle of her braided hair. She is standing upright on a 18" diameter by 6" high circular bronze plinth. Her head is tilted up and her arms are at her side.

The original sculpture was created by Eladio Gil Zambrana and presented to the people of Cartagena in 1974. It is installed at the Avenida Pedro de Heredia at the eastern end of the city walls. Since then the it as become an iconic symbol of the city. The Cartagena Film Festival has used replicas of this statue as their awards and has an original size copy outside its offices in Cartagena.

Historic Figure: Christopher Columbus - Cartagena, Colombia

Christopher Columbus

 Monument

Cartagena, Colombia

N 10° 25.346 W 075° 32.996

Short Description: 

A monument honoring Christopher Columbus is located at the east end of the Plaza de la Aduana in Cartagena, Colombia.

Long Description:

Christopher Columbus was born about October 31, 1451 in the Republic of Genoa, in northwestern Italy. He was an explorer and navigator whose voyages of exploration were financed by the Monarchs of Spain. He made four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, the publicity from which led to an awareness by Europeans of the existence of a New World. He established permanent settlements on the island of Hispaniola and started the colonization process of the New World. He died in Valladolid, Spain on May 20, 1506 at age 54.

Columbus explored the southern Caribbean on his third and fourth voyages. On the fourth voyage (1502-1504) he explored the coast of present day Panama which was part of Colombia until achieving independence from Colombia in 1903. The country of Colombia is named in honor of Christopher Columbus.

An elaborate 25' high white marble monument honoring Christopher Columbus has a circular plinth with an 8' high figure of the explorer standing to the left of a partially clad kneeling native woman who is holding a cornucopia in her right hand. Columbus is dressed in a tunic and jacket. He is wearing a medallion around his neck and rests his left hand on top of a anchor. His left hand is lower down and open with his palm facing forward.

Below is a two tiered 8' diameter octagonal base. The lower part is unadorned and the upper part has alternating recessed sides. The four protruding sides are similarly decorated with wreaths and anchors. The four recessed sides are inscribed:

West Side Upper Niche:

{Image of a globe showing the western hemisphere} 

A CASTILLO Y A LEON

NUEVO MUNDO DIO COLON

Lower Niche:

A

LA HEROICA

CARTAGENA

J.B. MAINEROYT

South Side Upper Niche:

{Image of a sailing ship}

"LA NIÑA"

East Side Upper Niche:

{Image of a sailing ship}

"LA PINTA"

Lower Niche:

AÑO

DE 1895

North Side Upper Niche:

{Image of a sailing ship}

"LA SANTA MARIA"

FIRST - Launch of a Liquid Propelled Rocket - Auburn, MA

First Liquid Propellant Rocket Launched by

Robert H. Goddard

Goddard Memorial Park

Auburn, MA

N 42° 12.318 W 071° 50.050

Short Description:

A monument honoring Dr. Robert H. Goddard and the launch of the first liquid propelled rocket is located in Goddard Memorial Park on Southbridge Street near the intersection with Auburn Street in Auburn, MA

Long Description:

Dr. Robert H. Goddard launched the first liquid-fueled rocket from his Aunt's farm in Auburn on March 16, 1926. The Rotary Club of Auburn has established a park and erected a monument in honor of Robert H. Goddard. Goddard Memorial Park contains a model of Dr. Goddard's prototype liquid fueled rocket and a Type A-1 Polaris Ballistic Missile.

The monument contains a plaque with a bas-relief profile of Robert Goddard on the left and an image of his first liquid-fueled rocket on the right. The plaque is has the Rotary seal at the center of the top and is inscribed:

DR. ROBERT H. GODDARD

PARK

FIRST LIQUID

PROPELLANT ROCKET

LAUNCHED IN AUBURN

MASS. MAR. 16, 1926

BY R. H. GODDARD

THIS PARK DEDICATED TO HIS MEMORY

BY THE ROTARY CLUB OF AUBURN

1970 

Scientist: Albert Einstein - Princeton, NJ

Albert Einstein

Princeton, NJ

N 40° 20.898 W 074° 39.892

Short Description:

A monument honoring Nobel Prize recipient Albert Einstein is located on the Princeton Town Hall Green at Stockton Street (Route 27).

Long Description:

A larger than life-sized 2.5' high bronze rough cast bust of Albert Einstein rests on a 6' high granite pedestal near the intersection of Stockton and Bayard Streets in Einstein's adopted hometown of Princeton, NJ.

In 1921 the Nobel committee award the Nobel Prize in Physics to Albert Einstein "for his services to Theoretical Physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect".

The front of the pedestal contains a short biography of Einstein. The third paragraph lists his accomplishments starting with the phrase "A Nobel Laureate in physics, ..."

ALBERT EINSTEIN

1879 - 1955

E = mc2

(1905)

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

Knowledge is limited whereas imagination

embraces the entire world.

(1929)

Born in Ulm, Germany on March 14, 1879. Albert

Einstein became a resident of Princeton in 1933

residing on Mercer Street until his death in 1955.

Before becoming Professor at the Institute for

Advanced Study, Einstein had already become

famous for his Special Theory of Relativity in

1905 and general Theory of Relativity in 

1915-1916 both which explained 

fundamental laws of the universe. His name

became synonymous with genius.

A Nobel Laureate in physics, a philosopher, a

humanitarian, an educator and an immigrant,

Albert Einstein left an indelible mark on the 

world and expressed tremendous appreciation

for Princeton.

"I am privileged by fate to live here in

Princeton. Einstein wrote "I feel doubly

thankful that there has fallen on my lot a

place for work and a scientific atmosphere 

which could not be better or more harmonious."