Battle of Pavón
Pavón, Santa Fe Province, Argentina
What happened
The army of the State of Buenos Aires under Bartolomé Mitre fought the army of the Argentine Confederation under Justo José de Urquiza. The State of Buenos Aires and the Argentine Confederation were rivals for control of Argentina. At Pavón, Urquiza's cavalry routed the Buenos Aires horsemen, but his own centre retreated. Then Urquiza unexpectedly left the field without using his reserves, leaving the victory to Mitre.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The national government dissolved, and Buenos Aires rejoined Argentina as its leading province. Mitre became the first president of a united Argentina.
What came next
Mitre served as president from 1862 to 1868. In 1870 he founded the newspaper La Nación.
Did you know?
Mitre was also a historian and translated Dante's 'Divine Comedy' into Spanish.
Timeline
- 17 September 1861Buenos Aires wins at Pavón.
- 12 October 1862Mitre becomes president of a united Argentina.
- 1870Mitre founds La Nación.