Rutherford Hayes is the Only President Revered in Paraguay
Shake a stick and chances are you'll hit something that was given a name in honor of a former president, like Washington, Lincoln, Roosevelt, etc. You name it: roads, parks, schools, bridges, etc. There are countless items throughout the nation that bear the names of some of those most recognizable Presidents. What about beyond the US, though?
When it comes to admiration on foreign land, one president stands head and shoulders above the others.
In Paraguay, Rutherford B. Hayes is considered to be a legend in and of himself. Contrary unlike America, where almost nothing bears Hayes' name. In honor of the one-term president, Paraguay has named a river, a province, a town, and even a soccer team.
Hayes' adoration by Paraguayans has its origins in that year (1877). Paraguay has lost a significant amount of land to the other countries after going to war with Brazil and Argentina. The two nations decided against engaging in a direct conflict in favor of arbitration conducted by an impartial third party when Argentina attempted to claim a portion of wilderness area. The countries wanted the USA to decide who would get the land because there was no UN at the time. President Hayes made a choice that benefited Paraguay, turning him into a local hero for years to come.
- 19th President of the United States
Born: Rutherford Birchard Hayes, October 4, 1822Delaware, Ohio, U.S.
Died: January 17, 1893 (aged 70)Fremont, Ohio, U.S.
