(Happy 100th week of facts!)
Nationally Known
Among the nations named for individuals:
Sunday
Bolivia was named for Simon Bolivar, who helped many South American countries gain independence from Spanish rule in the 1800s.
Monday
The Philippines were named for King Phillip II of Spain after being claimed for Spain by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.
Tuesday
The United States of America (and the North and South American Continents) were named for Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci. America is a latinized version of his first name.
Wednesday
Colombia is named after Christopher Columbus.
Thursday
El Salvador, or “the savior” was named for Jesus by Spaniards in the 1500s.
Friday
Swaziland is named for the great king Mswazi II, for whom his proud countrymen called themselves Swazis, or people of Mswazi.
Saturday
Israel is the named Jacob got after wrestling with an angel in the Bible, and is the nation’s namesake.