Rutherford B. Hayes was born in Delaware, Ohio on this day in 1822. He died in 1893. We remember him as the 19th president of the US and the winner of the contested 1876 election.
US history does not rank President Hayes very high. It's a different story down in Paraguay.
Why do they love President Hayes in Paraguay, a country way down in South America? Why does he have a holiday, a province, a town, a museum and a soccer team named after him?
The answer is rather remarkable. Back in 1878, President Hayes and the US participated in a territorial dispute with Brazil and Argentina. He supported Paraguay and its territorial claims. Therefore, Mr. Hayes became a hero when Paraguay was able to maintain its territory.
So they love # 19 ever since down there.
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