Plaza of the Americas ..
Location: Magnificient Mile, just north of Chicago River .. between Wrigley Building and Realtor Building ..
This park was dedicated in 1963 by the then Mexican consulate general in honor of member countries with the Organization of American States [OAS] .. There are flags for each OAS member country in the plaza. The park's other feature is a bronze statue of Mexico’s first president Benito Juarez. Chicago, like back when the plaza was dedicated, boasts a large Chicano population, including those who share Juarez’s Native American heritage.
Benito Juarez sculpture ..
Sculptor: Julian Martinez
Location: Plaza of the Americas on Michigan Avenue, between Realtor Building and Wrigley Building ..
Benito Juarez [1806-1872] was known as the builder of modern Mexico. He was a Zapotec Amerindian who served five terms as president of Mexico. He helped defend Mexico against the French occupation beginning in 1862, eventually overthrowing the Empire headed by Maximilian of Habsburg and restoring the Republic.
What ever happened to this sculpture that must have preceded it?
ReplyDeletehttp://siris-artinventories.si.edu/ipac20/ipac.jsp?uri=full=3100001~!296292~!54&ri=5&aspect=basic&menu=search&source=~!siartinventories&profile=ariall
The bust donated by former president of Mexico Jose Lopez Portillo in 1977, is now at the Benito Juarez High School in Pilsen
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. You solved a mystery!
ReplyDeleteJuárez was not the first President of Mexico. That was Guadalupe Victoria in 1824. Juárez was the first (and only) President of indigenous descent.
ReplyDeleteThe bust donated by former presidente of Mexico José López Portillo in 1977, is not at the Benito Juarez High School
ReplyDeleteThank you for your in-depth information. You make finding out about things in Chicago so
ReplyDeletemuch easier. I, for one, appreciate it.