Pedro Velarde y Santillán facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pedro Velarde y Santillán
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Defensa del Parque de Artillería de Monteleón, by Joaquín Sorolla depicts Pedro Velarde's last stand
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| Birth name | Pedro Velarde y Santillán |
| Born | 25 October 1779 Muriedas, Camargo, Spain |
| Died | 2 May 1808 (aged 28) Madrid, Spain |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Spain |
| Service/ |
Spanish Army |
| Years of service | 1793–1808 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Battles/wars | War of the Oranges
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Pedro Velarde y Santillán (born October 25, 1779 – died May 2, 1808) was a brave Spanish army captain. He is famous for his heroic death during the "Dos de Mayo" (Second of May) uprising. This was a fight against the French army that had taken over Madrid, Spain. Pedro Velarde became a national hero and a symbol of Spain's fight for freedom from the French Empire.
Contents
Early Life and Army Training
Pedro Velarde was born in a town called Muriedas, in Cantabria, Spain. In 1793, when he was 14, he joined the Artillery College. This college was located at the Alcázar de Segovia, a famous castle. He was a very good student and graduated near the top of his class.
In 1799, he became a Sub-Lieutenant. The next year, in 1800, he fought in a war against Portugal called the War of the Oranges. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1801.
Becoming a Math and Science Expert
After the war, Velarde went back to the Artillery College. He became a teacher there, focusing on mathematics and ballistics. Ballistics is the science of how bullets and shells move after they are fired. He became an expert in these subjects.
In 1806, he moved to Madrid. He worked as a secretary for an important group called the Junta Superior Económica of the Artillery Corps.
The Dos de Mayo Uprising
On May 2, 1808, the people of Madrid rose up against the French soldiers who were occupying their city. Captain Velarde quickly joined the fight. He gathered 37 of his soldiers. They were ordered to defend the Monteleón artillery barracks. This was a building where cannons and other weapons were stored.
Velarde fought bravely alongside his friend, Captain Luís Daoíz de Torres. The fighting was very intense, and many people died that day. Pedro Velarde, along with Daoíz and most of their soldiers, were killed. Velarde was only 28 years old when he died.
A Spanish National Hero
Pedro Velarde's body was found and buried after the battle. His brave stand at Monteleón became a very important story in Spain. Artists created paintings and monuments to remember him. His actions helped create a strong national spirit against Napoleon's French army.
Today, Velarde is remembered as a key hero in Spain's fight for independence. Two large lion statues guard the entrance to the Spanish Parliament building, the Congreso de los Diputados. One of these lions is named Velarde, and the other is named Daoíz, honoring these two brave captains.
Images for kids
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Statue of Velarde in Santander, Cantabria
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Monument to Daoíz and Velarde, Plaza del Dos de Mayo, Madrid
See also
In Spanish: Pedro Velarde para niños
