Continuing to brush up on my Latin American history, I present the bust of General José Gervasio…read moreArtigas. This is one of a number of Latin American monuments from the 1960s that were moved to the exterior of Bayfront Park when it was redesigned by artist and landscape architect Isamu Noguchi in the 1980s. José Gervasio Artigas (1764-1850) was a soldier and statesman famous for leading the independence movement in Uruguay. Artigas was born in Montevideo, then part of the Spanish Empire. He worked as a rancher and cavalryman before joining local militias. In 1811, inspired by broader independence movements in South America, he led a revolt against Spanish colonial authorities. His victory at the Battle of Las Piedras became a major symbol of resistance. This bust can be found near the Freedom Tower. It honors Artigas's role as a leader of the gauchos in the fight against Spanish domination. He is a national hero known as the "Father of Uruguayan Independence."

Next to the parking lot across from Bayside Marketplace and Bayfront Park sits the bust of Juan…read morePablo Duarte. I was always curious about it when I passed by through the years so I set out to learn more about it. I discovered that this bust was installed to honor the founding father of the Dominican Republic. The statue was installed in the 1970's, around the same time as other monuments to Latin American leaders in Bayfront Park. They were moved to the outskirts of the park in the 1980's when artist and landscape architect Isamu Noguchi was hired to redesign Bayfront Park Juan Pablo Duarte (January 26, 1813 - July 15, 1876) was a Dominican military leader, writer, activist, and nationalist politician. He joined forces with military general Ramón Matías Mella and Francisco del Rosario Sánchez. The trio organized and promoted the Trinitario movement, which eventually led to the Dominican revolt and independence from Haitian rule in 1844. Duarte paid a heavy price for his patriotism: he lost his wealth and was forced into exile, living in Venezuela until his death. Today, Duarte's birth is commemorated by Dominicans every January 26. In addition to honoring Juan Pablo Duarte, this monument also recognizes the broader Dominican-American community in South Florida. Flowers are laid here to honor Duarte for his role in gaining independence from Haiti. There is also a park named in his honor in Allapattah, known for its large Dominican population.

Next to the parking lot across from Bayside Marketplace and Bayfront Park sits the bust of Rubén…read moreDarío. I was always curious about it as I passed by over the years, so I set out to learn more about it. I discovered that this bust was installed to honor the man considered the "Prince of Spanish literature." The bust was dedicated in 1961, around the same time as other monuments to Latin American leaders in Bayfront Park. They were moved to the outskirts of the park in the 1980's when artist and landscape architect Isamu Noguchi was hired to redesign Bayfront Park. Rubén Darío (1867-1916) was an influential Nicaraguan poet, journalist, and diplomat. He began publishing poems when he was only 14 years old. He is best known as a leader of the Spanish American literary movement known as Modernismo, which reached its height at the end of the 19th century. Darío's first major literary work was Azul ("Blue"), a collection of short stories, descriptive sketches, and verse. In 1886, he left Nicaragua and traveled the world. In 1893, he was appointed Colombian consul in Buenos Aires. While working as a correspondent for the Buenos Aires newspaper La Nación in Europe in 1898, he became concerned about the future of Spanish America after the collapse of Spain's empire in the New World. In response, he wrote what is considered his masterpiece, Cantos de vida y esperanza (1905; "Songs of Life and Hope"). In 1914, on the brink of World War I, Darío left for New York, where he contracted pneumonia. He passed away shortly after returning home to Nicaragua. Today, Darío is considered by many to be one of the greatest poets to have written in Spanish. In addition to honoring Rubén Darío, this monument also recognizes the broader Nicaraguan community in South Florida. On September 15, 1992, Miami-Dade County Parks dedicated a park in Darío's honor. As you enter the park, you can see a large statue of Rubén Darío that was added in 1993.

This is another one of the many busts of Latin American leaders that you will see in downtown…read moreMiami. Read on as i continue to fill in the gaps of my knowledge of Latin American history. Captain Arturo Prat Chacón (1848-1879) is Chile's most honored naval hero. Born into a family of modest means, he entered the naval academy at the age of 10 and graduated at 18 as a midshipman. As a teenager, he fought in the Chincha Islands War against Spain. On May 21, 1879, during the Battle of Iquique in the War of the Pacific against Peru and Bolivia, he was given command of the Esmeralda, an old wooden ship that was in poor condition. He was attacked by the superior Peruvian ironclad Huáscar. Before the battle, he gave a famous speech to his crew: "Boys, the battle is unequal, but have courage and bravery. Our flag has never been lowered before the enemy, and I hope this will not be the occasion to do so." He refused to surrender, boarded the enemy ship during combat, and was killed in action at the age of 31. His courage inspired Chilean forces and made him a national symbol of honor, sacrifice, and patriotism. This bust was donated to the City of Miami by the local Chilean community on December 3, 2013. It was placed alongside monuments to other prominent Latin American figures, including Simón Bolívar. In 2023, it underwent a major restoration and continues to represent the Chilean population of Miami.

The histories of Cuba and Miami are deeply intertwined, and reminders of that connection can be…read morefound throughout the city, including here at Tamiami Park. While driving through the park, I couldn't miss the large Cuban Flag Memorial near the FIU stadium. Curious to learn more, I stopped for a closer look. The Memorial Cubano was created through a community effort by Cuban exiles in South Florida who wanted to commemorate those who died under the Cuban government after 1959 or while attempting to flee the island. The project began in 2002 when a group of exiles organized a symbolic cemetery to honor victims whose graves were either inaccessible or nonexistent. Thousands of white crosses were placed throughout Tamiami Park, each bearing the name of a deceased person. What began as a temporary tribute soon became an annual tradition. After years of displaying the crosses, a permanent memorial was officially inaugurated on February 22, 2014. Designed by Cuban architects Willy Borroto and Otto Borroto, the memorial features a 62 foot tall obelisk painted as the Cuban flag, a large white star-shaped plaza representing the flag's star, royal palm trees representing the national tree of Cuba, and black marble panels engraved with the names of the deceased. Memorial Cubano, Inc., the nonprofit organization that owns and maintains the memorial, keeps records of individuals whose deaths it deems are attributed to political repression, imprisonment, military actions, or attempts to escape Cuba. Annual ceremonies continue to be held here to honor those who lost their lives under Castro's regime. One particularly large gathering took place on the day of Fidel Castro's funeral. As I walked through the memorial and looked at the names and photographs, the cost of the struggle for freedom was driven home. It was a moving experience. This memorial is well worth a visit if you find yourself in Sweetwater. It is a reminder of the enduring impact Fidel Castro's regime has had on Cubans and the South Florida community.

Today we stopped to observe this special monument built in 1960, to emphasize the Torch of…read moreFriendship that was built to signify the passageway for immigrants coming from Latin America and the Caribbean to Florida. Sixty-five years later, we are observing a different climate between the nations due to current deportations performed in the US. We need to remember that we are all immigrants here and that next year the United States will celebrate its 250th birthday! In 1964 it was re-dedicated to the memory of President John F. Kennedy. He said "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country". Located at Bayside Park on Biscayne Blvd in downtown Miami in the northwest corner.

The Torch of Friendship monument is located at the northwest corner of Biscayne Blvd in front of…read moreBayfront Park. The idea of a memorial celebrating the immigrants of Latin American countries came from city manager Melvin L.Reese and mayor Robert King. The Miami City Commission agreed it was a good idea and arranged for it's construction. Thousands of refugees were fleeing from Cuba and Fidel Castro and the commissioners wanted Miami to stand as more than a geographical entrance into America. They wanted Miami to stand as beacon for the hope for a better life. Through the years the torch has been a popular place to stage demonstrations. Protests held here have been against Castro, for civil rights, against the Vietnam War, and for free speech. The monument was created serve the same purpose as Lady Liberty in New York, a welcome to immigrants coming to America's shores. The monument was conceived as a perpetually lit torch secured to a 18 foot high pillar surrounded by a patio and wall that contains the seals of each Latin American country. Statues of Simon Bolivar and Juan Ponce de Leon stand guard off to the side. The monument was dedicated in 1960 as a symbol of welcome for immigrants coming from Latin America and the Caribbean. In 1964 it was re-dedicated to the memory of the American president John F. Kennedy after his assassination. Kennedy had given a speech in Miami in 1960 praising the construction of the torch. The torch is currently unlit since at least November of 2019. The internal machinery that keeps the 2 foot high gas flame running needs to be replaced. Like fountains that are allowed to run dry in Miami, the Torch of Friendship has suffered from neglect. Five stars for this monument and what it stands for but one star to the City of Miami for letting the torch go out.

Keeping watch over the northern end of Bayfront park is the of Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon…read more You can find him next to the Torch of Friendship. Juan Ponce de Leon was the first Westerner to reach Florida. It is believed that he landed on the Florida coast near Melbourne beach on April 2, 1513. He was a conquistador and later became the first governor of Puerto Rico. Fun fact: Juan Ponce de Leon stood only 4 feet 11 inches tall. Legend has it that Juan Ponce de Leon was searching for the Fountain of Youth but research by Florida historian Douglas T. Peck suggests that he was searching for gold and to conquer and colonize the land for Spain. It is believed that he chose the name Florida because his arrival coincided with the easter feast, Pascua Florida. This statue was sculpted by Enrique Monjo and was donated by the Government of Spain in 1976. it was rededicated on May 22, 1995. It represents the historical connections between Spain and Florida as well as the legacy of exploration and colonization in the Americas.

While visiting the Miami Circle, arguably one of the most important archaeological finds in North…read moreAmerica, I first came across this sculpture called the Pillar of History, located mid-span on the Brickell Avenue Bridge where the Miami River meets Biscayne Bay. Miami is built on land first inhabited by the Tequesta nearly 2,500 years ago. The Tequesta were an Indigenous people who inhabited southeast Florida from Boca Raton to Key West, as well as the Everglades. They lived on fish, shellfish, berries, and small game, and were well adapted to the environment of South Florida. They thrived for nearly 2,000 years until they became victims of war and disease brought by Europeans in the 1500s. The prevailing theory is that the site of the circle was used by the Tequesta and may have served as the location of a council house. Many artifacts, including shell tools, stone axe heads, and human teeth, have been found at the site. The Pillar of History, created by Cuban artist Manuel Carbonell, memorializes Miami's first people, the Tequesta. It was commissioned by the Florida Department of Transportation and marked the department's first effort to integrate public art into a bridge design. The piece was installed in 1995 during the reconstruction of the Brickell Avenue Bridge and remains one of Florida's largest bronze monuments. The base features 16 bronze bas-reliefs honoring Miami's early pioneers, including Henry Flagler, D. A. Dorsey, William Brickell, Mary Brickell, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and Julia Tuttle. There are also 12 bronze bas-reliefs of local wildlife adorning the base of the flagpoles. The 36-foot-tall column consists of 158 figures that narrate the history of the Tequesta people. At the top of the column is a sculpture titled "Tequesta Family." It portrays a Tequesta warrior aiming an arrow toward the sky, searching for his place in eternity. Beside him is his wife, searching for a better life, while their son covers his face with his hands, aware of his people's inevitable extinction. The Brickell Avenue Bridge symbolically connects Miami's earliest inhabitants, the Tequesta, to its earliest pioneers, such as the Brickell family, for whom the area is named. As someone with an ardent passion for both art and history, the Pillar of History is one of my favorite public art sculptures in Miami. Now I look forward to seeing it every time I cross the bridge.