Battle of Maipú
Maipú plains, near Santiago, Chile
What happened
The Chilean and Argentine patriot army under José de San Martín and Bernardo O'Higgins fought the Spanish royalist army under Mariano Osorio. Chilean patriots were fighting for independence from Spain, and a royalist army marched toward Santiago. The two armies met on the plains of Maipú, just outside the city. The patriot army broke the royalist flanks, and the last royalist troops surrendered at Lo Espejo.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The victory secured Chile's independence and ended major Spanish operations there. It let Chile and Argentina carry the fight north to free much of Peru.
What came next
O'Higgins and San Martín embraced after the battle, a moment remembered as the 'Abrazo de Maipú'. O'Higgins ordered a church built to give thanks for the victory.
Did you know?
The church O'Higgins promised took a long time to finish: the present Votive Temple of Maipú was only inaugurated in 1974.
Timeline
- 5 April 1818The patriots win at Maipú.
- 7 May 1818O'Higgins decrees the building of a votive church.
- 24 October 1974The Votive Temple of Maipú is inaugurated.