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LEGISLATIVE  RESOLUTION  commemorating  the 201st Anniversary of Chile's
first national government on September 18, 2011

WHEREAS, 10,000 years ago, southward migrating Indians  settled  in  the
fertile  valleys  and along the Coast of Chile; Chile was shortly ruled,
in part, by the Incan  empire,  but  proved  too  barren  for  extensive
settlement; and
  WHEREAS, Spanish conquest began in the 1500s when Diego de Almagro and
later  Pedro  de  Valdivia encountered hundreds of thousands of Indians;
and
  WHEREAS, Santiago, the long-standing seat of  Chilean  government  was
founded in February of 1541; and
  WHEREAS,  Although  the  Spanish  did  not find the extensive gold and
silver they  sought,  they  recognized  the  agricultural  potential  of
Chile's  central  valley,  and  Chile  became part of the Viceroyalty of
Peru; and
  WHEREAS, Due to the weakening of Spain  during  the  Napoleonic  wars,
Chile,  like most Spanish colonies, began their own quest for sovereign-
ty; and
  WHEREAS, A national junta in the name of Ferdinand formed on September
18, 1810, proclaiming Chile an autonomous republic  within  the  Spanish
monarchy,  though a movement for full independence was supported by most
of Chile; and
  WHEREAS, Spanish attempts to regain control during what was called the
"Reconquista" led to a prolonged struggle; intermittent warfare  contin-
ued  until  1817,  when  an army led by Bernardo O'Higgins, Chile's most
renowned patriot, and Jose de San Martin, hero  of  Argentine  independ-
ence, crossed the Andes into Chile and defeated the royalists; and
  WHEREAS,  On  February  12,  1818, Chile, an independent republic, was
proclaimed and led by Bernardo  O'Higgins,  though  Chile  continues  to
honor  September  18,  1810, the day of separation from Spanish rule, as
their national holiday; and
  WHEREAS, Many Chileans have made New York their home, and this  Legis-
lative  Body  is  justly  proud  to  thank  the Chilean people for their
contributions to this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause  in  its  deliberations  to
commemorate  the  201st Anniversary of Chile's first national government
on September 18, 2011.