1) Born in Chile as the illegitimate son of a Spanish officer from County Sligo in Ireland, Bernardo O’Higgins was supported financially by a father he never knew. Spanish government officials in America were forbidden to marry locals.

2) Remeber Blasco Núñez Vela, the first viceroy of Peru, who put down the conquistadors? Well, eventually Ambrose O’Higgins became first governor of Chile and later viceroy of Peru, young Bernardo was sent to London to study. Bernardo joined nationalist rebels who desired independence from Spain. In 1814, these Chilean rebels were defeated by the Spanish and retreated into the Andes. In 1817, O’Higgins went back on the offensive with the aid of Argentine General José de San Martín. On February 12, 1818, Chile was proclaimed an independent republic. Perhaps his dad should have kept him a little closer. Think about it—Bernardo essentially toppled the government his father had run. Freud must have loved this story.

3) Bernardo O’Higgins tried to abolish of noble titles. This was resisted by large-land owners. Deposed by a coup on January 28, 1823, O’Higgins spent the rest of his life in exile, and died in Lima, Peru in 1842. Way to stick it to your old man, I mean, the man!