Archbishop Makarios III, born Mihail Khristodoulou Mouskos, served as the first President of Cyprus from 1960 to 1977. He played a pivotal role in the island’s struggle for independence from British rule and its subsequent transition to a republic. Background and History: Born on August 13, 1913, in the village of Panagia, Paphos District, Cyprus. Studied theology at the University of...
Under the Constitution of 1901, which allowed the annexation to the United States, Tomás Estrada Palma became the first President of Cuba on May 20, 1902. Born on July 9, 1835, in Bayamo, Cuba, Estrada Palma was a lawyer and politician who played a significant role in Cuba’s struggle for independence from Spain. He was of Spanish and Cuban descent. Estrada Palma’s early life was...
Emblem of Croatia To enrich your insights into presidential figures worldwide, also explore some prominent first presidents from other countries, such as Côte d’Ivoire, Costa Rica and Congo. Delving into the leadership journeys of these figures can offer valuable perspectives on their historical significance and pivotal roles in shaping global politics. The official residence and symbol of...
Félix Houphouët-Boigny, born on October 18, 1905, was the first president of Côte d’Ivoire. He played a pivotal role in the country’s independence movement and guided it through its formative years as a republic. Houphouët-Boigny was born into the Baoulé ethnic group, the largest ethnic group in Côte d’Ivoire. He received his education at a Catholic mission school and went on to...
Juan Mora Fernández, born on February 5, 1784, holds the distinction of being the first President of Costa Rica. His tenure marked the official inception of Costa Rica as an independent republic. Born into a wealthy family in San José, Mora Fernández was a respected figure in the community. Before his presidency, he served as a deputy in the Central American Parliament and played a crucial role...
Fulbert Youlou was the first President of the Republic of Congo, serving from 1960 to 1963. He was born on 19 November 1917 in Brazzaville, French Equatorial Africa (now the Republic of Congo), to Alphonse Youlou and Jeanne Akouala. Youlou was an ethnic Lari and a Roman Catholic priest. He was ordained in 1946 and served as a parish priest in Brazzaville for several years. He became involved in...
Joseph Kasavubu was the first President of the Republic of the Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). He served from June 30, 1960, to November 25, 1965. Background and History: Kasavubu was born on December 10, 1910, in Tshela, Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). He was a member of the Bakongo ethnic group. Kasavubu was educated at the Catholic mission school in...
After gaining independence from France in 1975, Ahmed Abdallah Abderemane became the first President of the Comoros. Born on June 12, 1919, in Domoni, Anjouan, Abdallah belonged to the Anjouanais ethnic group, one of the three main ethnic groups in the Comoros. Abdallah’s political career began in the 1950s when he served as a member of the Territorial Assembly. He was a prominent figure in...
José de la Trinidad Mutis (February 6, 1732 – September 11, 1808) was a Spanish-American botanist, physician, mathematician, astronomer, and priest, who made major contributions to botany. He is known as the father of Spanish American botany. Mutis was born in Cádiz, Spain, and studied medicine at the University of Seville. In 1755, he went to New Granada (present-day Colombia) as a member of a...
Sun Yat-sen was the first President of the Republic of China, serving from 1912 to 1913 and again from 1923 to 1925. He was a revolutionary and political leader who dedicated his life to the overthrow of the Qing dynasty and the establishment of a modern, democratic China. Sun Yat-sen was born in 1866 in Xiangshan County, Guangdong Province, China. He came from a Hakka family, an ethnic group...
