View source for Francisco del Rosario Sánchez

== Early Life ==
Francisco del Rosario Sánchez was born on March 9, 1817, in Santo Domingo, the capital of the [[Dominican Republic]]. He was the son of Olaya Del Rosario, who was of mixed African and Spanish descent, and Narciso Sánchez Ramona, a wealthy merchant of Spanish descent. Sánchez was educated at home by private tutors and later attended the Seminary of Saint Thomas Aquinas, where he studied Latin, French, and philosophy.

== Political Career ==
In 1838, Sánchez, along with [[Juan Pablo Duarte]] and [[Matías Ramón Mella]], founded La Trinitaria, a secret society that sought to overthrow the Haitian rule of the Dominican Republic and establish an independent nation. Sánchez played a crucial role in the organization, using his eloquence and charisma to rally support for the cause. He was instrumental in the planning and execution of the War of Independence, which began on February 27, 1844, and resulted in the establishment of the Dominican Republic.

[[Image:Detail-145975.jpg|thumb|center|A historical monument dedicated to Francisco del Rosario Sánchez|class=only_on_mobile]]
[[Image:Detail-145976.jpg|thumb|center|A historical monument dedicated to Francisco del Rosario Sánchez|class=only_on_desktop]]

In the aftermath of the war, Sánchez served as the interim president of the Dominican Republic from July 26 to August 4, 1844. However, his tenure was marked by political instability and internal strife. He was eventually ousted from power by a military coup led by General [[Pedro Santana]], a conservative leader who opposed Sánchez's liberal policies.

Despite his fall from power, Sánchez remained a prominent figure in Dominican politics. He led several unsuccessful rebellions against Santana's rule, resulting in his exile to [[Curaçao]] and later to [[Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands|Saint Thomas]]. During his time in exile, Sánchez continued to advocate for the independence and sovereignty of the Dominican Republic.

== Death and Legacy ==
Sánchez returned to the Dominican Republic in 1861, following the country's annexation by Spain. He led a revolt against Spanish rule, but was captured and executed by firing squad on July 4, 1861. His death marked the end of his political career, but his legacy as a national hero and champion of Dominican independence endures.

Today, Sánchez is revered as one of the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic. His contributions to the country's independence movement are commemorated through monuments, street names, and the Francisco del Rosario Sánchez National Airport in Santo Domingo. His life and legacy continue to inspire generations of Dominicans and serve as a symbol of the country's struggle for independence and sovereignty.

== See Also ==
* [[History of the Dominican Republic]]
* [[Dominican War of Independence]]
* [[Pedro Santana]]

[[Category:History of the Dominican Republic]]
[[Category:Presidents of the Dominican Republic]]
[[Category:Dominican Republic independence activists]]