a
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Alfonso X
Scholar, King / 1221 - 1285
Alfonso X was the king of Castile, León and Galicia from 1252 until his death. He established the form of modern Castilian Spanish.
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(1221-1285)
Scholar, King
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Anne of Austria
Queen / 1601 - 1666
Anne of Austria, queen consort of France, was married to the 14-year-old Louis XIII and later mothered Louis XIV.
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(1601-1666)
Queen
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Fernando Arrabal
Director, Journalist, Playwright, Poet / 1932 -
Fernando Arrabal is a Spanish French Absurdist playwright, novelist, and filmmaker whose early plays brought him to the attention of the French avant-garde.
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(1932-)
Director, Journalist, Playwright, Poet
b
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Francisco Franco
Dictator / 1892 - 1975
Francisco Franco led a successful military rebellion to overthrow the Spanish democratic republic in the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), and he subsequently established his lasting dictatorship.
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(1892-1975)
Dictator
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Cristóbal Balenciaga
Fashion Designer / 1895 - 1972
Cristóbal Balenciaga was a Spanish-French fashion designer and the leading couturier of Spain in the 1920s-30s. He moved to Paris during the Spanish Civil War.
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(1895-1972)
Fashion Designer
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Javier Bardem
Film Actor / 1969 -
Javier Bardem is a Spanish actor, and the first Spaniard to be nominated for an Oscar. He played lead roles in Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Eat, Pray, Love.
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(1969-)
Film Actor
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Pío Baroja
Author / 1872 - 1956
Basque writer Pío Baroja wrote nearly 100 novels during his lifetime, including The Struggle for Life and Zalacaín el aventurero.
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(1872-1956)
Author
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Benedict XIII
Pope / 1328 - 1423
Benedict XIII (originally Pedro de Luna) spent more than 20 years as antipope during the Western Schism that split the Roman Catholic Church from 1378 to 1417.
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(1328-1423)
Pope
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Richard Blanco
Poet / 1968 -
Richard Blanco is the fifth inaugural poet of the United States, the first Latino and openly gay-identified person to hold the position.
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(1968-)
Poet
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Luis Buñuel
Director, Screenwriter / 1900 - 1983
Luis Buñuel was a Spanish filmmaker known for his personal obsessions magnified in his work and his Surreal approach.
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(1900-1983)
Director, Screenwriter
c
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Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca
Explorer / - 1490
Explorer Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca spent eight years in the Gulf region of present-day Texas and was treasurer to the Spanish expedition under de Narváez.
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(-1490)
Explorer
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Juan Carlos I
King / 1938 -
Spanish King Juan Carlos I acceded to the throne two days after the death of Francisco Franco and was instrumental in Spain's peaceful transition to democracy.
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(1938-)
King
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José Carreras
Singer / 1946 -
Opera singer José Carreras is a leading tenor who has performed around the world. He helped popularize opera by performing as part of The Three Tenors.
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(1946-)
Singer
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Hernán Cortés
Explorer, Military Leader / 1485 - 1547
Hernán Cortés, marqués del Valle de Oaxaca, was a Spanish conquistador who overthrew the Aztec empire and won Mexico for the crown of Spain.
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(1485-1547)
Explorer, Military Leader
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Penelope Cruz
Actress / 1974 -
Spanish actress Penelope Cruz is known for her roles in such films as Vanilla Sky, Captain Corelli's Mandolin, and Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
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(1974-)
Actress
d
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Salvador Dalí
Painter, Filmmaker, Writer / 1904 - 1989
Salvador Dali is best known for his long surrealist painting career.
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| Watch video
(1904-1989)
Painter, Filmmaker, Writer
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Pedro de Alvarado
Explorer, Governor / 1485 - 1541
Spanish conquistador Pedro De Alvarado was known for his skill as a soldier and for his cruelty to the native populations of Mexico.
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(1485-1541)
Explorer, Governor
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Miguel de Cervantes
Military Leader, Writer / 1547 - 1616
One of Spain's most famous writers, Miguel de Cervantes created one of the world's greatest literary masterpieces, Don Quixote, in the early 1600s.
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(1547-1616)
Military Leader, Writer
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Francisco Vázquez de Coronado
Explorer / 1510 - 1554
The expedition team of Francisco Vázquez de Coronado discovered the Grand Canyon and many other famous landmarks.
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(1510-1554)
Explorer
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Francisco de Goya
Illustrator, Painter / 1746 - 1828
Sometimes called the father of modern art, Spanish artist Francisco de Goya painted royal portraits as well as more subversive works in late 1700s and early 1800s.
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(1746-1828)
Illustrator, Painter
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Pedro Calderón de la Barca
Playwright, Poet / 1600 - 1681
Pedro Calderón de la Barca was a poet and playwright of the Spanish Golden Age who is generally regarded as one of Spain's finest dramatists.
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(1600-1681)
Playwright, Poet
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Bartolomé de Las Casas
Historian, Explorer, Political Leader, Missionary, Writer / 1474 - 1566
Originally a soldier, Bartolomé de Las Casas later worked against the oppression of indigenous races by Europeans.
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(1474-1566)
Historian, Explorer, Political Leader, Missionary, Writer
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Juan Ponce de León
Explorer / 1460 - 1521
While searching for the mythical fountain of youth, Juan Ponce de León founded the oldest settlement in Puerto Rico and discovered Florida.
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| Watch video
(1460-1521)
Explorer
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Victoria de los Angeles
Singer / 1923 -
Victoria de los Angeles is a lyric soprano noted for her 19th-century Italian roles and her performances of Spanish songs.
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(1923-)
Singer
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Juan de Oñate
Explorer, Governor / 1550 - 1630
Conquistador Juan de Oñate established the colony of New Mexico for Spain. During his governorship, he vainly sought the mythical riches of North America.
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(1550-1630)
Explorer, Governor
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Hernando de Soto
Explorer / 1500 - 1542
Hernando de Soto was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who participated in the conquests of Central America and Peru and discovered the Mississippi River.
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(1500-1542)
Explorer
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Tomas De Torquemada
Priest / 1420 - 1498
Priest Tomas De Torquemada became notorious for his cruelty while serving as Inquisitor General during the Spanish Inquisition.
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(1420-1498)
Priest
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Miguel de Unamuno
Educator, Philosopher, Scholar, Journalist, Author, Poet / 1864 - 1936
Miguel de Unamuno (y Jugo) was a Spanish philosopher and writer best known for his novel Abel Sánchez.
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(1864-1936)
Educator, Philosopher, Scholar, Journalist, Author, Poet
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Francisco de Zurbarán
Painter / 1598 - 1664
Spanish artist Francisco de Zurbarán painted religious work for monasteries and churches in Southern Spain in the 1600s.
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(1598-1664)
Painter
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Plácido Domingo
Singer / 1941 -
Plácido Domingo is a Spanish-Mexican tenor and conductor best known for his powerful and versatile voice.
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(1941-)
Singer
e
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El Greco
Architect, Painter, Sculptor / 1541 - 1614
El Greco was a Greek artist whose painting and sculpture helped define the Spanish Renaissance and influence various movements to come.
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(1541-1614)
Architect, Painter, Sculptor
f
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Cesc Fàbregas
Soccer Player / 1987 -
Soccer player Cesc Fàbregas has starred for the Arsenal and FC Barcelona clubs and led Spain to multiple championships in international competition.
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(1987-)
Soccer Player
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Isabella Farnese
King/Queen / 1692 - 1766
Isabella Farnese was the Queen consort of Spain, wife of Philip V of Spain. She exerted tremendous influence of Spain's foreign policy and expansion.
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(1692-1766)
King/Queen
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Ferdinand II
Political Leader, King / 1452 - 1516
Ferdinand II was king of Aragon and king of Castile from 1479. He united the Spanish kingdoms into the nation of Spain and supported Columbus's exploration.
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(1452-1516)
Political Leader, King
g
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John Galliano
Fashion Designer / 1960 -
John Galliano is a British fashion designer who served as head designer of the French haute couture houses Givenchy (1995-1996) and Christian Dior (1996-2011).
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| Watch video
(1960-)
Fashion Designer
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Federico García Lorca
Playwright, Poet / 1898 - 1936
Federico García Lorca is considered one of Spain's greatest poets and dramatists. One of his most successful poetry collections was The Gypsy Ballads.
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(1898-1936)
Playwright, Poet
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Pau Gasol
Children's Activist, Basketball Player / 1980 -
Spanish professional basketball player Pau Gasol is a two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was Spain's flag bearer during the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
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(1980-)
Children's Activist, Basketball Player
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Antoni Gaudí
Architect / 1852 - 1926
Antoni Gaudí was a Barcelona-based Spanish architect whose free-flowing works were greatly influenced by nature.
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(1852-1926)
Architect
h
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Rita Hayworth
Film Actress, Dancer, Pin-up / 1918 - 1987
American film actress Rita Hayworth is best known for her stunning explosive sexual charisma on screen in films throughout the 1930s and 1940s.
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(1918-1987)
Film Actress, Dancer, Pin-up
i
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Dolores Ibárruri
Political Leader / 1895 - 1989
Dolores Ibárruri was Spanish Communist leader who earned a legendary reputation as an impassioned orator during the Spanish Civil War.
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(1895-1989)
Political Leader
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Enrique Iglesias
Model, Songwriter, Singer / 1975 -
Enrique Iglesias is a Spanish singer known for several hit songs, including "Bailamos," "Rhythm Divine," "Be With You," "Escape" and "Hero." He is the son of Spanish singer Julio Iglesias.
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(1975-)
Model, Songwriter, Singer
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Julio Iglesias
Singer / 1943 -
Singer Julio Iglesias's was highly success during the 1970s and 1980s. Among his best-known songs is his duet "To All the Girls I've Loved Before."
See full bio
(1943-)
Singer
j
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James I
King / 1208 - 1276
James I was a Spanish king best known for fighting the Moors during his reign from 1213-'76. He is also known as James I the Conqueror and James I of Aragon.
See full bio
(1208-1276)
King
k
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Kaka
Soccer Player, Philanthropist / 1982 -
Professional soccer player Kaká helped São Paulo take home the World Cup title in 2002. He later lead Milan to Champions League and Club World Cup titles.
See full bio
(1982-)
Soccer Player, Philanthropist
l
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Mario Vargas Llosa
Author / 1936 -
Winner of the 2010 Nobel Prize in Literature, novelist Mario Vargas Llosa has written many novels that reflect on Peruvian society and politics.
See full bio
(1936-)
Author
m
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Joan Miró
Painter, Sculptor / 1893 - 1983
Catalan painter Joan Miró combined abstract art with Surrealist fantasy to create his lithographs, murals, tapestries, and sculptures for public spaces.
See full bio
(1893-1983)
Painter, Sculptor
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Antonio Molina
Film Actor, Theater Actor, Singer / 1928 - 1992
Antonio Molina was a Spanish singer and actor best known for his films such as El pescador de coplas (1953) and Esa voz es una mina (1955).
See full bio
(1928-1992)
Film Actor, Theater Actor, Singer
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Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
Painter / 1618 - 1682
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo was the most popular Baroque religious painter of 17th-century Spain, noted for paintings like Immaculate Conception (1652).
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(1618-1682)
Painter
n
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Rafael Nadal
Tennis Player / 1986 -
Spanish-born Rafael Nadal is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional tennis players of all time, completing the career Grand Slam by age 24, the youngest in history to achieve the feat.
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(1986-)
Tennis Player
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Vasco Núñez de Balboa
Explorer / 1475 - 1519
Explorer and conquistador Vasco Núñez de Balboa became the first European to see the Pacific Ocean.
See full bio
(1475-1519)
Explorer
o
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Catherine of Aragon
Queen, Princess / 1485 - 1536
Of Spanish descent, the devout, learned Catherine of Aragon was the 16th-century Queen of England due to her marriage to Henry VIII.
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(1485-1536)
Queen, Princess
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St. John of the Cross
Monk, Saint, Poet / 1542 - 1591
St. John of the Cross was a Spanish poet whose work is considered the summit of mystical Spanish literature. He was glorified as a saint in 1726 by Pope Bendict XIII.
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(1542-1591)
Monk, Saint, Poet
p
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Juan Perón
Military Leader, World Leader / 1895 - 1974
Juan Perón was an army colonel who became president of Argentina (1946-52, 1952-55, 1973-74) and was the founder and leader of the Peronist movement.
See full bio
(1895-1974)
Military Leader, World Leader
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Peter
King / 1334 - 1369
Peter the Cruel was the Spanish king of Castile and León, son an successor of Alfonso XI, best known for his vicious characteristics as a ruler.
See full bio
(1334-1369)
King
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Philip II
Military Leader, Duke, King / 1527 - 1598
King Philip II of Spain, also known as Philip the Prudent, ruled one of the world's largest empires. The Philippines are named after him.
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(1527-1598)
Military Leader, Duke, King
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Philip IV
Military Leader, Political Leader, King / 1605 - 1665
Philip IV was the King of Spain and Portugal during the decline of Spain as a great world power in the 1600's.
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(1605-1665)
Military Leader, Political Leader, King
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Pablo Picasso
Painter / 1881 - 1973
Spanish expatriate Pablo Picasso was one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century, as well as the co-creator of Cubism.
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| Watch video
(1881-1973)
Painter
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Francisco Pizarro
Explorer / 1476 - 1541
Spanish explorer and conquistador Francisco Pizarro helped Vasco Núñez de Balboa discover the Pacific Ocean, and after conquering Peru, founded its capital city, Lima.
See full bio
(1476-1541)
Explorer
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Gonzalo Pizarro
Explorer, Governor / 1502 - 1548
Spanish explorer Gonzalo Pizarro fought during the conquest of Peru in the 16th century and later worked to protect the rights of Indians there.
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(1502-1548)
Explorer, Governor
r
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Santiago Ramón y Cajal
Academic, Neurologist / 1852 - 1934
Santiago Ramón y Cajal was a Spanish histologist and professor whose work led to the discovery of neurons.
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(1852-1934)
Academic, Neurologist
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José Rizal
Activist, Doctor, Journalist / 1861 - 1896
José Rizal was a patriot, physician and man of letters who was an inspiration to the Philippine nationalist movement.
See full bio
(1861-1896)
Activist, Doctor, Journalist
s
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Carlos Saura
Director / 1932 -
Carlos Saura made political films criticizing Francisco Franco’s control in Spain. After Franco’s death in 1970, Saura made flamenco-dance dramas.
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(1932-)
Director
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Andrés Segovia
Guitarist / 1893 - 1987
Andrés Segovia was an influential Spanish classical guitarist.
See full bio
(1893-1987)
Guitarist
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Junipero Serra
Missionary / 1713 - 1784
Spanish missionary Juniper Serra established his first U.S. mission in 1769. He built eight more California missions over the next thirteen years.
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(1713-1784)
Missionary
v
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Diego Velázquez
Painter / 1599 - 1660
Diego Velázquez was a renowned Spanish painter and portraitist, and an icon of Western art.
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(1599-1660)
Painter
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Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar
Explorer / 1465 - 1524
Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar was an explorer and conquistador involved in the second voyage of Christopher Columbus to the New World.
See full bio
(1465-1524)
Explorer
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Amerigo Vespucci
Explorer / 1454 - 1512
America was named after Amerigo Vespucci, a Florentine navigator and explorer who played a prominent role in exploring the New World.
See full bio
(1454-1512)
Explorer
x
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Saint Francis Xavier
Missionary / 1506 - 1552
Saint Francis Xavier was the greatest Roman Catholic missionary of modern times who was instrumental in the establishment of Christianity in many parts of Asia.
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(1506-1552)
Missionary
z
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José Zorrilla
Playwright, Poet / 1817 - 1893
Spanish poet and dramatist José Zorrilla, a major figure of the nationalist wing of the Spanish Romantic movement, made his name with verse leyendas (legends).
See full bio
(1817-1893)
Playwright, Poet