José Martí

José Julián Martí Pérez (January 28, 1853 – May 19, 1895) was a Cuban national hero and an important figure in Latin American literature. In his short life he was a poet, an essayist, a journalist, a revolutionary philosopher, a translator, a professor, a publisher, and a political theorist. Through his writings and political activity, he became a symbol for Cuba's bid for independence against Spain in the 19th century, and is referred to as the "Apostle of Cuban Independence". He also fought against the threat of United States expansionism into Cuba. From adolescence, he dedicated his life to the promotion of liberty, political independence for Cuba and intellectual independence for all Spanish Americans; his murder was used as a cry for Cuban independence from Spain by both the Cuban revolutionaries and those Cubans previously reluctant to start a revolt.

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Born in Havana, Martí began his political activism at a young age. He would travel extensively in Spain, Latin America, and the United States raising awareness and support for the cause of Cuban independence. His unification of the Cuban émigré community, particularly in Florida, was crucial to the success of the Cuban War of Independence against Spain. He was a key figure in the planning and execution of this war, as well as the designer of the Cuban Revolutionary Party and its ideology. He died in military action on May 19, 1895.

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Martí is considered one of the great turn-of-the-century Latin American intellectuals. His written works consist of a series of poems, essays, letters, lectures, a novel, and even a children's magazine. He wrote for numerous Latin American and American newspapers; he also founded a number of newspapers himself. His newspaper Patria was a key instrument in his campaign for Cuban independence. After his death, one of his poems from the book, "Versos Sencillos" (Simple Verses) was adapted to the song, "Guantanamera," which has become the definitive patriotic song of Cuba.

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The concepts of freedom, liberty, and democracy are prominent themes in all of his works, which were influential on the Nicaraguan poet, Rubén Darío and the Chilean poet, Gabriela Mistral.

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Havana: :This article is about the Cuban city. For other places named Havana, please see Havana (disambiguation)...

Guantanamera: "Guantanamera" ("The girl from Guant?namo") is perhaps the best known Cuban song and that country's most noted patriotic song. The lyrics are based on the first poem in the collection Simple Verses by Cuban nationalist poet Jos? Mart?, adapted by Juli?n Orb?n. The music was composed by Jos? Fern?nde...

Patriotic song: Patriotic song may refer to...

José Martí related Images and Photos (experimental)

Marta Kristen

Claude Rich and Marie-José Nat: La Française et L'Amour 1960

Nadja Tiller José Luis de Villalonga and Pierre Brasseur: L'Affaire Nina B. 1961

Jean Gabin Roger Dumas and Marie-José Nat: Rue Des Prairies 1959