Place

General José de San Martí­n Memorial

A statue of a man riding a horse
General José de San Martí­n Memorial

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Quick Facts

Bicycle - Rental, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Wheelchair Accessible

José de San Martín (1778–1850) was one of the fathers of South American independence and sought the creation of an alliance of nations in South America. Argentinean citizens gave this equestrian monument to the United States in 1925, and the bronze plaque on the back of the sculpture likens San Martín to George Washington because they shared desires for democracy, justice, and liberty. 

Sculptor: Copy of original by Dumont in Buenos Aires.

To see more Latino leader memorials and statues in DC, visit the Avenue of Latino Leaders page.

Inscriptions

Pedestal, front
LIBERATOR
GENERAL JOSE de SAN MARTIN
Plaque, top
HOMENAJE AL LIBERTADOR GENERAL D. JOSE DE SAN MARTIN DEL PRESIDENTE DE LA NACION ARGENTINA DR. CARLOS SAUL MENEM EN OCCASION DE SU VISITA DE ESTADO A LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMERICA 16 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 1991
Translated: “In tribute to the Liberator General D. Jose de San Martin from the President of Argentina Dr. Carlos Saul Menem on the occasion of his state visit to the United States of America, 16 November, 1991.”
Plaque, bottom
AL GENERAL JOSÉ DE SAN MARTÍN EN OCCASION DE LA VISITA DEL PRESIDENTE DE LA ARGENTINA RAÚL ALFONSÍN A LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DE AMÉRICA
19 – III – 1985
TO GENERAL JOSE DE SAN MARTIN FROM THE PRESIDENT OF ARGETNTINA RAUL ALFONSIN ON THE OCCASION OF HIS VISIT TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Wall behind memorial
JOSE de SAN MARTIN
FOUNDER OF THE ARGENTINE INDEPENDENCE
HE LED THE LIBERATING ARMY ACROSS THE ANDES
AND GAVE FREEDON TO CHILE AND PERU
HIS NAME LIKE WASHINGTON’S, REPRESENTS THE AMERICAN IDEAL OF DEMOCRACY, JUSTICE AND LIBERTY
Traducción: “José de San Martín. Fundador de la Independencia argentina. Condujo al Ejército Libertador a través de Los Andes. Su nombre, al igual que el de Washington, representa el ideal de democracia, justicia y libertad estadounidense.”

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Last updated: October 23, 2024