Births on February 21

José Zorrilla, Spanish poet and playwright (d. 1893)

José Zorrilla y Moral (Spanish pronunciation: [xoˈse θoˈriʎa]) was a Spanish poet and dramatist, who became National Laureate.

19 Jan

Crossing of the Andes
An army of 5,423 soldiers, led by General José de San Martín, crosses the Andes from Argentina to liberate Chile and then Peru.
12 Feb

Battle of Chacabuco
An Argentine/Chilean patriotic army, after crossing the Andes, defeats Spanish troops on the Battle of Chacabuco.
15 Apr

American School for the Deaf
Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc founded the American School for the Deaf, the first American school for deaf students, in Hartford, Connecticut.
4 Jul

Erie Canal
In Rome, New York, construction on the Erie Canal begins.
30 Oct

Simón Bolívar
The independent government of Venezuela is established by Simón Bolívar.