Colonization:  It was first discovered by Ferdinand Magellan on October 21, 1520.  Spain sent Pedro de Valdivia back in 1540 and claimed it for Spain.  

Independence:  Chile fought for their independence from Spain during the Wars of Independence 1810-1814.  They only began to think about independence when Napoleon Bonaparte started to dominate all of Europe and eventually replaced the Spanish king.  Eventually Chile gained its independence from Spain and September 18, 1810 is celebrated as Chile’s Independence Day.

 

Ferdinand Magellan                                                            Napoleon Bonaparte

Ferdinand MagellanNapoléon Bonaparte

picture taken from http://www.mrdowling.com/704-magellan.html                                                 picture taken from  http://www.epilepsiemuseum.de/francais/prominen/napoleon.html

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