Aniversario 160 del Natalicio de Jose Marti

28 de Enero 2013. Aniversario 160 del Natalicio de José Julián Martí Pérez.

(La Habana, Cuba, 28 de enero de 1853 - Dos Ríos, Cuba, 19 de mayo de 1895) fue un político republicano democrático, pensador, periodista, filósofo y poeta cubano de origen español , creador del Partido Revolucionario Cubano y organizador de la Guerra del 1895 o Guerra Necesaria. Perteneció al movimiento literario del modernismo.

Además de destacado ideólogo y político, José Martí fue uno de los más grandes poetas hispanoamericanos y la figura más destacada de la etapa de transición al modernismo, que en América supuso la llegada de nuevos ideales artísticos.

(January 28, 1853 - May 19, 1895) is a Cuban national hero and an important figure in Latin American literature. In his short life he was a poet, an essayist, a journalist, a revolutionary philosopher, a translator, a professor, a publisher, and a political theorist. Most North Americans are familiar with his lyrics for the song "Guantanamera." He was also a member of the Cuban Freemasons and a supporter of La Orden de los Caballeros de la Luz (The Order of the Kinights of the Light) founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1873. Through his writings and political activity, he became a symbol for Cuba's bid for independence against Spain in the 19th century, and is referred to as the "Apostle of Cuban Independence." He also fought against the threat of United States expansionism into Cuba. From adolescence, he dedicated his life to the promotion of liberty, political independence for Cuba and intellectual independence for all Spanish Americans; his death was used as a cry for Cuban independence from Spain by both the Cuban revolutionaries and those Cubans previously reluctant to start a revolt.

Born in Havana, Martí began his political activism at an early age. He would travel extensively in Spain, Latin America, and the United States raising awareness and support for the cause of Cuban independence. His unification of the Cuban émigré community, particularly in Florida, was crucial to the success of the Cuban War of Independence against Spain. He was a key figure in the planning and execution of this war, as well as the designer of the Cuban Revolutionary Party and its ideology. He died in military action on May 19, 1895.

Orden de los Caballeros de la Luz

La Orden de Los Caballeros de la Luz (The Order of the Knights of Light) claims to be the only one fraternal order which is authentically Cuban as other orders such as the long-established Freemasons within Cuba are universal in character.
The Knights of the Order of Light was founded in Philadelphia May 9, 1873, by its founder José González Curbelo and his mentor and guide Jose de la Luz y Caballero. José González Cuban Curbelo was given the task of organizing a mutual aid institution dedicated to the achievement of independence for Cuba to accomplish this goal brought together a group of patriots living in the city of Philadelphia in the United States. This group first met on April 20, 1873 to make preparations for founding a secret society of mutual aid called ¨The Light¨. Its first president was José González Curbelo.

Lodges were established in Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, and several cities in Florida, including Ibor City (Tampa) and Miami, as well as in Key West. Minutes and dues books from Philadelphia Lodge No. 1 from 1873-1880 are in the collection of the Historical Society of Philadelphia.

The Order continues as a primarily fraternal order, albeit one which places a strong emphasis on national pride within Cuba to this day. In 2010, with much fanfare, the Order celebrated the centenary of its instillation in an Independent Cuba. As late as 1983, Orden Caballero De La Luz Logia Miami Numero 58, Inc., incorporated itself under Florida law as a Domestic non-profit organization, where a number of lodges are said to continue in operation.