Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Rafael Caldera

Role / Field:

Prominent Venezuelan politician, academic, and author who served multiple times as President.

Born:

1916-01-24

Died:

2009-12-24

Century / Era:

1916s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Rafael Antonio Caldera Rodríguez (Spanish pronunciation: [rafaˈel anˈtonjo kalˈdeɾa roˈðɾiɣes] ; 24 January 1916 – 24 December 2009) was a Venezuelan politician, academic, and author who served as the 46th and 51st president of Venezuela from 1969 to 1974 and from 1994 to 1999. He co-founded the Christian Democratic party COPEI and helped draft the 1961 Constitution. He was one of the leading figures in Venezuelan democratic politics during the second half of the 20th century and a pioneer of the Christian Democratic movement in Latin America. During his first presidency, Caldera pursued a policy of national pacification that ended the country's long-running left-wing insurgency.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His administration oversaw Venezuela's first peaceful democratic transfer of power from the governing party to the opposition, restored diplomatic relations with socialist countries, and enacted measures that paved the way for the nationalization of the oil industry. After serving in the Senate and holding leadership positions in several international organizations, Caldera was elected to a second presidential term in 1993. His administration faced a severe banking crisis, recession, and falling oil prices...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Al Martino — Contemporary (Died in 2009) (2009): Iconic Italian-American crooner, celebrated for standards and his role in The Godfather.
• Ali Akbar Khan — Contemporary (Died in 2009) (2009): Master sarod virtuoso who popularized Hindustani classical music in the West.
• Amedeo Modigliani — Shared historical date (01-24 · Died) (1920): Italian painter and sculptor known for elongated, modern portraits and nudes.
• B. V. Doshi — Shared historical date (01-24 · Died) (2023): Pioneering Indian architect, celebrated for modernist and brutalist discourse.
• Adam Mickiewicz — Shared historical date (12-24 · Born) (1798): National Poet of Poland, Romantic master, and leading voice of Slavic literature.
• Alban Berg — Shared historical date (12-24 · Died) (1935): Key figure of the Second Viennese School, blending Romanticism with twelve-tone technique.
• 1916 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1916
• January 24 (01-24) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 24
• 2009 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2009
• December 24 (12-24) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on December 24

Frequently Asked Questions about Rafael Caldera