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Giuseppe Mazzini and Giuseppe Garabaldi lead revolutions to help unify Italy. The northwest peninsula of Italy was pieced together as multiple states until 1848 when Revolution ideas spread across Europe, Milan, and Venice. Revolutionists stood against Austrians. Napoleon sent his army to fight against the Sicilians. They won this war. Victor Emanual II now took over unification of Italy.

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The present territory of Colombia was a corridor of human migration from Mesoamerica. Settlements were established and pottery appeared the territory that became Colombia. The conquistadors made frequent alliances with some of their enemies from different countries. There were many rebel movements against Spanish rulers.

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Colombia History in 5 Minutes - Animation

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El nino and climate change have brought severe drought to Venezuela. This is causing the government to shut off all electricity for hours every day. Venezuela is sitting on the world's largest reserves of black gold. Venezuela also has a very violent history and they are still recovering today from the ruling of Hugo Chavez.

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Before Italy was unified into one single nation, the land was separated into many smaller states owned by Austria. Giuseppe Mazzini , Prime Minister Cavour, King Victor Emmanuel II and Giuseppe Garbaldi all played a major part in the unification of Italy. They were known as the "fathers of the fatherland." The goal of young Italy was to unify Italy with union, strength and liberty.

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Unification of Italy | Timeline, Revolution & Leaders - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com

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Learn about the unification of Italy through a timeline of events. See when Italy was founded, who unified the country and what the goal of young…

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Napoleon invaded Spain in 1808. This threw Spain and its colonies into chaos. Venezuelan Patriot Francisco de Miranda led a failed attempt to start a revolution in Venezuela in 1806. However, many people in Spain approved of his actions. The elite of Caracas rebelled against Joseph Bonaparte (Napoleons brother). This led to the independence of Venezuela.

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The republic of Venezuela celebrates its independence from Spain on two different dates: April 19, when an initial declaration of semi-independence from Spain was signed in 1810, and July 5, when a more definitive break was signed in 1811. April 19 is known as "Firma Acta de la Independencia" or "Signing of the Act of Independence."

The first years of the nineteenth century were turbulent ones in Europe, particularly in Spain. In 1808, Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Spain and put his brother Joseph on the throne, throwing Spain and its colonies into chaos. Many Spanish colonies, still loyal to the deposed King Ferdinand, did not know how to react to the new ruler. Some cities and regions opted for a limited independence: they would take care of their own affairs until such time as Ferdinand was restored.

Venezuela was ripe for Independence long before other South American regions. Venezuelan Patriot Francisco de Miranda, a former general in the French Revolution, led a failed attempt to start a revolution in Venezuela in 1806, but many approved of his actions. Young firebrand leaders like Simón Bolívar and José Félix Ribas were actively speaking of making a clean break from Spain. The example of the American Revolution was fresh in the minds of these young patriots, who wanted freedom and their own republic.

In January of 1809, a representative of the Joseph Bonaparte government arrived in Caracas and demanded that taxes continue to be paid and that the colony recognize Joseph as their monarch. Caracas, predictably, exploded: people took to the streets declaring loyalty to Ferdinand. A ruling junta was proclaimed and Juan de Las Casas, the Captain-General of Venezuela, was deposed. When news reached Caracas that a loyalist Spanish government had been set up in Seville in defiance of Napoleon, things cooled down for a while and Las Casas was able to re-establish control.

On April 17, 1810, however, news reached Caracas that the government loyal to Ferdinand had been crushed by Napoleon. The city erupted into chaos once more. Patriots who favored full independence and royalists loyal to Ferdinand could agree on one thing: they would not tolerate French rule. On April 19, Creole patriots confronted the new Captain-General Vicente Emparán and demanded self-rule. Emparán was stripped of authority and sent back to Spain. José Félix Ribas, a wealthy young patriot, rode through Caracas, exhorting Creole leaders to come to the meeting taking place in the council chambers.

The elite of Caracas agreed on a provisional independence from Spain: they were rebelling against Joseph Bonaparte, not the Spanish crown, and would mind their own affairs until Ferdinand VII was restored. Still, they made some quick decisions: they outlawed slavery, exempted Indians from paying tribute, reduced or removed trade barriers, and decided to send envoys to the United States and Britain. Wealthy young nobleman Simón Bolívar financed the mission to London.

The result of the Act of Independence was immediate. All over Venezuela, cities and towns decided either to follow Caracas' lead or not: many cities chose to remain under Spanish rule. This led to fighting and a de facto Civil War in Venezuela. A Congress was called in early 1811 to solve the bitter fighting among Venezuelans.

Although it was nominally loyal to Ferdinand - the official name of the ruling junta was "Junta of conservation of the rights of Ferdinand VII" - the government of Caracas was, in fact, quite independent. It refused to recognize the Spanish shadow government that was loyal to Ferdinand, and many Spanish officers, bureaucrats, and judges were sent back to Spain along with Emparán.

Meanwhile, exiled patriot leader Francisco de Miranda returned, and young radicals such as Simón Bolívar, who favored unconditional independence, gained influence. On July 5, 1811, the ruling junta voted in favor of complete Independence from Spain - their self-rule was no longer dependent on the state of the Spanish king. Thus was born the ​First Venezuelan Republic, doomed to die in 1812 after a disastrous earthquake and relentless military pressure from royalist forces.

The April 19 pronouncement was not the first of its kind in Latin America: the city of Quito had made a similar pronouncement in August of 1809. Still, the independence of Caracas had much longer lasting effects than that of Quito, which was quickly put down. It allowed the return of the charismatic Francisco de Miranda, vaulted Simón Bolívar, José Félix Ribas and other patriot leaders to fame, and set the stage for the true independence that followed. It also inadvertently caused the death of Simón Bolívar's brother Juan Vicente, who died in a shipwreck while returning from a diplomatic mission to the USA in 1811.
Harvey, Robert. Liberators: Latin America's Struggle for Independence Woodstock: The Overlook Press, 2000. Lynch, John. The Spanish American Revolutions 1808-1826 New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1986. Lynch, John. Simon Bolivar: A Life. New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2006.

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When Did Venezuela Declare Independence From Spain?

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The republic of Venezuela celebrates its independence from Spain on two different dates: April 19, when an initial declaration of semi-independence from Spain was signed in 1810, and July 5, when a more definitive break was signed in 1811. April 19 is known as "Firma Acta de la Independencia" or "Signing of the Act of Independence."

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The independence of the United States and Haiti greatly inspired Colombia's independence. The closure of the Battle of Boyaca led to the Angostura Congress and allowed the birth of the current Republic of Colombia. Simon Bolivar led the republican army to invade the provinces of Casanare and Tunja.  Today on July 20 there are many events that take place to celebrate the independence of Colombia!

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TLDR? The official date of the Colombian Independence is July 20th. That was the day when the Spaniard Jose Gonzalez Llorente said no to the request to borrow a vase, starting a monumental war.
After almost 300 years of conquest and colonization by the Spanish empire, the independence movement arrived in the "New Kingdom of Granada" in 1810.

However, there's a whole lot more that goes into the story than just that.

July 20th marks a day to commemorate and celebrate Colombia's cry of independence caused by a vase. Yes, you read that correctly!

Now keep reading and find out how it happened and why Colombians celebrate July 20th every year.

The Inspiration for the Independence of Colombia

The independence of American Creoles against the Spanish crown is related to other freedom fights. Its most direct inspirations were the independence of the United States and Haiti.

The French invasion of Spain was also an inspiration for these rebels who decided to take control of their territory.

At the same time, the struggle for independence raged across all of Latin America: Chile conquered its freedom in 1817 under the command of José de San Martín, and the event promoted pro-independence advances in the event known as the Spanish American Wars of Independence.

The Story of Colombian Independence

With tons of inspiration for independence raging around them, it's no surprise that Colombia chose to launch its own independence effort.

Colombia achieved its complete independence only in 1819 under the command of Simon Bolivar. A campaign with Venezuela began a year earlier, which ended in the Battle of Boyaca on August 7th, 1819.

This closure gave way to the Angostura Congress and the birth of the current Republic of Colombia.

Of course, the independence movements began earlier, led by Antonio Nariño and Camilo Torres Tenorio. Antonio defended a centralized state model, and Camilo, a federalist one.

Here's a simplified timeline of the events leading to Colombian independence:

1810-1815: different wars between the defenders of the monarchy and the independentists.

1811: Some provinces of Nueva Granada, as the Colombian territory was called, had been grouped as a new independent state, just like Cartagena.

1816: After an agreement on the French invasion of Spain, Mr. Fernando VII's troops were back to controlling the country and imposed the regime of terror led by Mr. Pablo Morillo.

1819: The republican army led by Simon Bolivar crossed the mountains that separated the provinces of Casanare and Tunja. After the battles of Paya, Pantano de Vargas, and Puente de Boyaca, it found a free way to control Santa Fe.

The territory of the Viceroyalty of New Granada then became the Republic of Colombia, named after the navigator and discoverer of America Cristobal Colon. It remained in union with Ecuador and Venezuela until 1830, being left afterward with its current same.

However, many other regions such as Cartagena, Santa Marta, Riohacha, Pasto, and Popayan still struggled to achieve independence. In 1823, Admiral Padilla ended the threatening situation in the Caribbean with the naval battle of Lake Maracaibo, sealing the independence of Venezuela.

Why is Colombia's Independence Celebrated on July 20th?

The official date of the celebration of independence is July 20th, but the liberation process lasted many years. We shouldn't forget the many wars and sacrifices it meant.

July 20th is the date decreed by the National Congress of the United States of Colombia in 1873. It stands for the signing of the Act of the Revolution of 1810, which, as we saw, didn't mean that Colombia as a whole was completely independent.

Therefore, the date changes in cities that took longer to become independent. In Cartagena, for example, independence is celebrated on November 11th.

The Significance of July 20th, 1810

The independence from the Spanish crown was a long time coming in Colombia.

In the early 1800s, there was a lot of unrest among the creole people living in Colombia. And, after reading Antonio Nariño's translation and dissemination of the Rights of Man, the creoles began thinking about how they could separate from the Spanish government.

Everything came to a head with the Rebellion of the Communards. The rebellion used Antonio Nariño's translation as a prologue for their rebellion, which was meant to expose their disagreements within the colonizing government.

However, the real reason that this day was so special has to do with a vase. Here's the short version of the story.

The Story of The Vase

On July 20th, a man named Luis de Rubio approached the house of Jose Gonzalez Llorente, a Spaniard, and asked him to borrow a vase to decorate Mr. Antonio Villavicencio's table.

Mr. Llorente answered him with a resounding and forceful no, causing the intervention of two other men: Francisco José de Caldas and Antonio Morales. They alerted the people to the insult committed by Llorente against the American people.

Llorente denied it, and the people crowded into Plaza Mayor and attacked the viceroyalty. The revolt initiated a revolutionary process that only ended with the signing of the Act of Independence of Santafe.

This movement wasn't the only revolution carried out in Colombia. However, it marks the official date of independence as it gave way to intense freedom struggles against the Spanish crown.

Independence Day Celebrations in Colombia

Every July 20th is a public holiday in Colombia.

As a patriotic celebration, this day also recognizes miscegenation in cultural heritage and the contributions of indigenous and afro-descendant communities to this history.

In celebration, there are events in the country such as parades and displays of the Colombian Military Forces.

People usually hang the Colombian tricolor flag outside their house and wear the Colombian Soccer Team's shirt.

During the pandemic, the celebration happened virtually through national channels with military presentations. Still, since freedom isn't anything trifling to commemorate, the planes of the Colombian Air Force flew through some cities decorating the skies of Colombia!

The Colombian Bicentennial

In 2010 Colombia celebrated 200 years of independence and held many celebrations to commemorate the bicentennial.

Also, an urn sealed in 1910 to celebrate the first centenary of independence was opened, which contained important documents and photos of the time.

Educational and scientific exhibitions were held, such as the exhibition of the Royal Botanical Expedition of the New Kingdom of Granada.

International channels such as History, NatGeo, and City TV from Bogota, together with the National University of Colombia, created a documentary to broadcast on July 20th, 2010.

Parades

The military parade with the president and the Great National Concert happened with the participation of some artists, such as paisa Juanes in Quibdo, Choco.

The Mayoralty from Bogota opened a space in the Plaza de Bolivar, a few meters from the Casa de Nariño, Colombia's presidential house, for telling stories of the country.

In Corferias, there were exhibitions with typical gastronomy of the country. There was also contemporary and indigenous art, a cattle exhibition, and the Armed Forces of Colombia show.

Colombian Bicentennial Celebration in Other Countries

For the thousands of Colombians who live abroad, celebrating 200 years of their country was a must.

Countries such as the United States, Argentina, and the United Kingdom decided to participate in this celebration. It was an act to welcome the Colombians who lived there and a show of patriotism.

What's more, the British Government celebrated different political figures from Colombia in the London Chamber. The British Parliament even hosted a special reception afterward.

The famous Argentinean Obelisk and New York's Empire State were illuminated in yellow, blue, and red. These are the colors of the Colombian flag.

Even the Google doodle paid tribute to a free Colombia. What a beautiful detail!

Fireworks Shows

The City of Medellin celebrated 200 years of Independence with a musical show and fireworks.

The truth is that a fireworks show isn't as regular an attraction on July 20th. That's unlike when other countries celebrate their independence. In Colombia, it's usually a little quieter.

However, for this date, no celebrations were spared.

The city closed several streets for the paisas who wanted to enjoy this patriotic and national show.

Even the metro system of this city joined the celebration and offered a discount for holders of the Civic Card, which wasn't so common then.

Places in Colombia to Learn About the Country's Independence

The many museums of Medellin give life to what made Colombia a free country over 200 years ago.

However, if you want to get a real feel for what the history of Colombia's independence is all about, you should really visit Bogotá.

In Bogotá, you can check out these places:

National Museum: a building located in a colonial neighborhood of the capital. You will find objects and the history of independence: paintings, vessels, weapons, and even haircuts of famous people.

Bridge of Boyacá: a public place in Boyacá that's a standing relic of the independence movement.

Casa del Florero: located in Bogotá, the Casa del Florero was the store of Jose Gonzales Llorente. It's a place where you can learn more about key figures in the story of Colombia's independence.

There are tons of other places that you can check out when it comes to exploring Colombia's independence, too.

However, these are a few unique places in the country where you can learn a bit more about what made Colombia what it is today.

Celebrate the Independence of Colombia This Year!

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the independence of Colombia will celebrate its 212th anniversary outdoors! Colombians will adorn the neighborhoods and streets with flags as well as lots of yellow, blue, and red. Come celebrate freedom and enjoy Colombia's contagious joy!
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TLDR? The official date of the Colombian Independence is July 20th. That was the day when the Spaniard Jose Gonzalez Llorente said no to the request to borrow a vase, starting a monumental war. After almost 300 years of conquest and colonization by the Spanish empire, the independence movement arrived in the "New Kingdom of Granada" in 1810.