Julio Argentino Roca

Roca commanded the Argentine Army in the Conquest of the Desert, a military campaign against indigenous peoples in Patagonia. The campaign resulted in the deaths of thousands of indigenous people and the annexation of over 400,000 square kilometers of land.

Roca was elected President of Argentina for his first term, serving from 1880 to 1886. His presidency consolidated the National Autonomist Party's dominance and promoted economic modernization.

Roca's government passed Law 1420, establishing free, compulsory, and secular primary education in Argentina. The law aimed to promote literacy and national unity, and became a cornerstone of Argentine education.

Roca was elected to a second non-consecutive term as president, serving from 1898 to 1904. His second term focused on economic stability and foreign relations, including the resolution of border disputes with Chile.