Historical Distortion in the Glorification of Francis Drake
A critical analysis reveals the historical distortion in Francis Drake's glorification, evidenced by a recent tweet erroneously proclaiming him as the "first commander" to circumnavigate the world. This narrative ignores previous circumnavigations by Juan Sebastián Elcano (1522) and García Jofre de Loaísa (1536). It also omits controversial aspects of Drake, such as his pirate activities, military failures, and involvement in the slave trade. This tendency to exaggerate British achievements while minimizing Spanish ones reflects national insecurity and reluctance to face historical realities objectively. It's crucial to approach these narratives with a critical eye for a more complete and nuanced understanding of naval history.
- 1531 The indigenous Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin claims that the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to him, whose cult is one of the most deeply rooted beliefs in Mexico and a reason for the union of the Hispanic peoples.
- 1568 Fernando Valdés Salas, Spanish politician and ecclesiastic, very influential during the 16th century, dies.
- 1579 Saint Martin de Porres, known as 'The Saint of the Broom', Spanish friar of the Dominican Order, is born. He is the first mulatto saint in America.
- 1641 Antoon Van Dick, Flemish painter, dies.
- 1706 Pedro II of Portugal, regent since 1668 and King since 1683, dies.
- 1710 English defeat by the Franco-Spanish army at Brihuega during the War of the Spanish Succession.
- 1759 After leaving Naples on 6 October and arriving in Barcelona on the 17th, Carlos III enters Madrid to assume the throne. He is 43.
- 1774 The Sultan of Morocco, Muley Muhamed Ben Abdala, lays siege to the Spanish city of Melilla, which he fails to conquer.
- 1931 The Second Spanish Republic is proclaimed with the approval of the new republican constitution after Alfonso XIII resigns and goes into exile.
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