The National Academy of the History of Venezuela is an institution dedicated to the study and promotion of the
history of Venezuela
The history of Venezuela reflects events in areas of the Americas colonized by Spain starting 1522; amid resistance from indigenous peoples, led by Native caciques, such as Guaicaipuro and Tamanaco. However, in the Andean region of western Vene ...
. Specifically, the objective is the collection of bibliographic, newspaper, audiovisual or other documentation to look at the political, economic and social events that have taken place in the country.
History
The creation of the academy was decreed by the ex-president
Juan Pablo Rojas Paúl
Juan Pablo Rojas Paúl (26 November 1826 – 22 July 1905) was the president of Venezuela from 1888 to 1890. He was the first civilian president who was elected by constitutional procedures in 50 years, and the only one who could finish his t ...
on October 28, 1888. Its express mission is the study of the history of Venezuela,
the Americas
The Americas, which are sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North America, North and South America. The Americas make up most of the land in Earth's Western Hemisphere and comprise the New World. ...
and the world with direct relevance to the Venezuelan context. It also deals with the promotion of research in the teaching of history, while at the same time strengthening the Venezuelan identity, all through publishing, audiovisuals and events of various kinds.
Its headquarters are located in the
Palace of the Academies on Universidad de
Caracas
Caracas (, ), officially Santiago de León de Caracas, abbreviated as CCS, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela, and the center of the Metropolitan Region of Caracas (or Greater Caracas). Caracas is located along the Guaire River in the ...
Avenue, between the corners of San Francisco and La Bolsa. In its facilities, it houses its library, which originally contained bibliographic copies, other documents and audiovisual sources. Since 1889 the Individuals of Number who were part of the academy also functioned as the institution's librarians and archivists. Over time, the number of materials increased in such a way that it was necessary to organize these resources into three separate departments: the library itself, the archive and the newspaper and periodical library. In 1952 it moved its headquarters to the Palace of the Academies, where the
Venezuelan Academy of Language
The Academia Venezolana de la Lengua (Spanish for ''Venezuelan Academy of Language'') is an association of academics and experts on Venezuelan Spanish, the variant of the Spanish language in Venezuela. It was founded in Caracas on July 26, 1883. I ...
and the are also located. In 1961 it was decided to open its three branches to the general public.
Among the most outstanding "treasures" of the institution are the ', the extensive compendium of the writings and diaries of
Francisco de Miranda
Sebastián Francisco de Miranda y Rodríguez de Espinoza (28 March 1750 – 14 July 1816), commonly known as Francisco de Miranda (), was a Venezuelan military leader and revolutionary. Although his own plans for the independence of the Spani ...
, which contains information and notes on the
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was a major war of the American Revolution. Widely considered as the war that secured the independence of t ...
, the
French Revolution
The French Revolution ( ) was a period of radical political and societal change in France that began with the Estates General of 1789 and ended with the formation of the French Consulate in November 1799. Many of its ideas are considere ...
and the beginnings of the
Spanish-American wars of independence. These archives were transferred to the academy between 1929 and 1950 after being acquired by the Venezuelan Government. There are also the archives of
Simón Bolívar
Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios (24 July 1783 – 17 December 1830) was a Venezuelan military and political leader who led what are currently the countries of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and B ...
, composed of correspondence, proclamations, personal and military documents, decrees and notes on Latin American societies written by the Liberator. These are kept in a separate annex of the Academy that is located in the Traposos Corner, on the same avenue. Both compilations have been included in
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) aimed at promoting world peace and security through international cooperation in education, arts, sciences and culture. It ...
's
Memory of the World Program.
On June 5, 1940, the first woman joined the academy:
Lucila Luciani de Pérez Díaz. Her speech was inspired by General
Francisco de Miranda
Sebastián Francisco de Miranda y Rodríguez de Espinoza (28 March 1750 – 14 July 1816), commonly known as Francisco de Miranda (), was a Venezuelan military leader and revolutionary. Although his own plans for the independence of the Spani ...
, expressing the equality of women in social, cultural and official aspects. She entered occupying seat X, vacant due to the death of . The welcome speech was given by Dr. Juan José Mendoza.
Individuals by number (''Individuos de número'')
Until 2015, they were titled Academics of Number (). By order of induction, since 1960:
Corresponding members
* (1890–1971; corresponding member in Mexico; inducted 1966)
See also
*
Venezuelan Academy of Language
The Academia Venezolana de la Lengua (Spanish for ''Venezuelan Academy of Language'') is an association of academics and experts on Venezuelan Spanish, the variant of the Spanish language in Venezuela. It was founded in Caracas on July 26, 1883. I ...
References
{{reflist
External links
National Academy of History – Venezuela— Official Web site.
National academies