175 years ago today, September 23, 1850 (August 18, 1850 in the lunar calendar), Uruguayan national hero Artigas passed away. Jose Gervasio Artigas (June 19, 1764-September 23, 1850) was a Uruguayan national hero and the father of Uruguayan independence. Led the War of Independence in 1811. In the Battle of Las Piedras, he defeated the Spanish colonial army and then led his troops to besiege Spanish-controlled Montevideo. From 1814 to 1816, the five northeastern provinces of Uruguay and Argentina successively separated from the United Province of La Plata to form the "Federal Alliance" headed by him, and he served as the "protector" of the alliance. In February 1815, Artigas's troops once captured Montevideo under Argentine occupation and established a parliament and government. In 1816, Portugal troops invaded Uruguay from Brazil and occupied Montevideo in January of the following year. Artigas led his troops to retreat into the interior to continue fighting. In 1820, he was defeated and retreated to Paraguay. He lived in seclusion there for 30 years and died on September 23, 1850 in Asunción. Comment: He has made great contributions to the Uruguayan people's living an independent and free life.