Bernardo de Gálvez (statue)

Bernardo de Gálvez is a bronze equestrian statue, sculpted by Juan de Ávalos of Spain. It was dedicated on June 3, 1976. Evidently, it was a gift from Spain to the United States upon the occasion of the U.S.A.'s Bicentennial (1776–1976) commemoration.

The Bernardo de Gálvez sculpture is located with the Statues of the Liberators, at Virginia Avenue and 22nd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C.

The inscription on the base reads:

(Front:) BERNARDO DE GALVEZ (COUNT DE GALVEZ) 1746–1786

(Side:) BERNARDO DE GALVEZ THE GREAT SPANISH SOLDIER CARRIED OUT A COURAGEOUS CAMPAIGN IN LANDS BORDERING THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI. THIS MASTERPIECE OF MILITARY STRATEGY LIGHTENED THE PRESSURE OF THE ENGLISH IN THE WAR AGAINST THE AMERICAN SETTLERS WHO WERE FIGHTING FOR THEIR INDEPENDENCE. MAY THE STATUE OF BERNARDO DE GALVEZ SERVE AS A REMINDER THAT SPAIN OFFERED THE BLOOD OF HER SOLDIERS FOR THE CAUSE OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE. Excerpts of a speech given on this location on June 3, 1976 by His Majesty DON JUAN CARLOS I King of Spain

Sculptor Juan de Ávalos Madrid, Spain