Bernardo O'Higgins formally approves the Chilean Declaration of Independence near Concepción, Chile.

Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme was a Chilean military officer, statesman and a major leader of Chile's successful struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire. He was the second Supreme Director of Chile from 1817 to 1823, the first holder of the title to head a fully independent Chilean state, and is considered one of Chile's founding fathers.