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The Bolivian revolution lasted a total of 15 years, from 1809 to 1825, against Spanish rule that lasted for centuries. The leader of the rebellion was Simon Bolivar, and although Simon was the leader that brought the revolution victory he did not start it.

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History of the Holidays: Aug 6th, Bolivian Independence Day

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Impressionism

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The revolution in Colombia started in 1808 and ended in 1824. The people were stirred by the invasion the French invasion of 1808 caused an increase in nationalism. So once Spain lost they decided to revolt and have independence

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Colombia History in 5 Minutes - Animation

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Romanicism

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One of the catalysts for the first phase of the independence struggle in Chile, was the abdication of Charles IV and Ferdinand VII in Spain. Then things were escalated even further When they installed an French leader over a native. These Events started the revolution where Chile would eventually gain independence.

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Realism

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The leader of the revolution was Simon Bolivar

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Bolivian Independence, achieved after centuries of Spanish colonial rule, was a process that spanned more than 15 years, from 1809 to 1825, and involved numerous battles and countless deaths. The struggle for independence started locally and later Simon Bolivar and Antonio Jose de Sucre gave cohesiveness to a fragmented and unorganized cause.

Ultimately, this new and independent country, Bolivia, would get its name from the Simon Bolivar, the military and political leader that changed the course of Colonial South America. Bolivia during the 18th century was known as Upper Peru and as was an autonomous region dependant on the Viceroyalty of Peru. Local government was the responsibility of the Royal Audience directed by a President.

This Audience was known as the Audiencia de Charcas. As was the case in other places, the Spanish overseers were widely ignorant of the situation of the people and considered themselves superior to the indigenous people. It was not uncommon for these Oidores to make the people bow to them. In 1776 a reorganization of territories was ordered by Spain and Upper Peru joined the Viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata against the wishes of the Viceroyalty of Peru-which would stand to lose valuable natural resources and the money that would come with them.

This would bitterly divide the relationship between these two regions. Further dividing the bases of power was the implementation of the intendancy system that subdivided the power of Viceroy and created internal power struggles between Intendants and Viceroys. At the start of the 19th century, a perfect storm of circumstances came together to fan the flames of independence in South America.

In 1807, Napoleon invaded Spain in a quest to increase his empire. This created an enormous vacuum of power and oversight in South America permitting the independence movements to begin their fight in earnest while the Spanish Monarchy was distracted with its own problems back home.The first wave of nationalist uprisings in Bolivia occurred in 1809 when the government juntas of Charcas and La Paz were formed as a reaction to the events in Spain-the chaotic, almost anarchic, situation in Spain was duplicating itself in Bolivia.

The junta in Charcas was created by the removal of the President, Ramon Garcia Leon de Pizarro, by the Audience because the Spanish Oidores suspected him of wanting to join with Portugal. The representatives of the Monarchy decided to convert Upper Peru into a junta that would remain loyal to Spain in spirit while isolating itself politically from the other surrounding regions including the Viceroyalty of Peru. In La Paz, the junta there was an effort to break free from Spanish rule altogether and wanting complete independence from any European power. These juntas ended up being short-lived, however, and soon fell back under Spanish control thanks to the intervention of the Viceroy of Peru and the better equipped Royalists easily defeated the nationalists, who were lacking in money, resources and military experience.The defeat of the juntas did not mark the end of the independence movement; they constituted an important part of the history of Bolivia. The juntas were able to promote and encourage the independence movement which was kept alive by a six guerrilla armies that formed away from the cities and took control of various regions of Bolivia.

In 1810, these six breakaway regions would come to be known as republiquetas (little republics) and each were headed by a caudillo (military leader or dictator). These regions had little or no influence in the surrounding areas but were strong enough to withstand any interference by the royalist forces for more than 15 years.With the American war of independence still fresh in the mind of the world; especially in South America which was subject to Colonial Spanish rule, people began to question the legitimacy of colonial occupation. In 1807, a South American aristocrat and liberal thinker had just returned from his travels in Europe.

In Venezuela, this man, Simon Bolivar was beginning a revolution of South American independence from Spain. His struggle would take him all over South America and his cause gained followers every day that passed. After having liberated Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador, Bolivar was now close to liberating Peru in 1821. In Upper Peru, following 1817, there was relative calm with the power of the caudillos and the Viceroy of Peru reaching a point of equilibrium. In 1820 this equilibrium was broken with the conservative general, Pedro Antonio de Olañeta, refusing to recognize the Spanish Constitution of 1812 and breaking away from the Viceroyalty of Peru. He also refused to join the rebel armies of Bolivar that were beginning to approach Upper Peru as he considered himself "the only defender of the throne and altar" in the region. With the fall of Peru to Bolivar, the next he set his sights on was Upper Peru.

In the latter half of 1823 the forces of Bolivar crossed Bolivia and on December 9, 1824, the rebel forces under the command of Antonio Jose de Sucre defeated the royalist army in the Battle of Ayacucho.The remaining royalist forces were easily defeated at El Callao but there remained one last military obstacle: General Olañeta. As the last holdout, he attempted to surrender Upper Peru to Brazil in the last ditch effort to maintain Spanish control in the area but to no avail. In one final battle on April 9, 1825, Olañeta and Sucre met on the battlefield. Olañeta's troops now knowing that defeat would be their destiny murdered Olañeta on the battlefield and surrendered to the rebel army.

Spain's last outpost in South America was now lost forever. A constitutional congress was summoned and on August 6, 1825, to create a new Magna Carta as well as a name to this newly independent country Bolivia in honor of the aristocrat turned liberator, Simon Bolivar. From August 12 to December 29, 1825, Bolivar led Bolivia on the path to democracy and independence and after he stepped down fellow war hero, Antonio Jose de Sucre would continue in the presidency.

Today, Bolivia's Independence Day is now celebrated every year on 6th August. Celebrations are held throughout the country and it is a common sight to see schoolchildren parading through the streets in their school uniforms while proudly carrying the Bolivian flag.

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Bolivian Independence - History of Bolivia - don Quijote

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Bolivian Independence. From August 12 to December 29, 1825, Simon Bolivar led Bolivia on the path to democracy and independence.

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Antonio Nariño and Camilo Torres Tenorio were the leaders of the Colombian revolution

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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.

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The revolution in La Serena was led by Pedro Pablo Muñoz, the brothers Antonio and Ignacio Alfonso, and other notable residents of the city.

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War and Nation: identity and the process of state-building in South America (1800-1840)

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Dr Juan Luis Ossa Santa Cruz, a co-investigator on the War and Nation project, and a specialist in the history of independence in Chile, divides the independence struggle in the region into three key phases. The first phase was what he terms the Revolutionary Civil War. This stretched from about 1808 (or 1810 if we use the date that is normally considered as the start of the war of independence in Chile) and lasted until 1814, when the revolutionaries were defeated at the Battle of Rancagua and fled over the Andes to Mendoza. The second phase of the struggle for independence in Chile was the period in which Bernardo O'Higgins started to form an alliance with the Argentine Army of the Andes. The crossing of the Andes was a key moment in the independence struggle. O'Higgins' goal was actually to use the conquer of Chile as a springboard to taking Lima in Peru. The third phase was the militarization of the army in Chile.
The First Phase of the Independence Struggle in Chile
One of the catalysts for the first phase of the independence struggle in Chile, was the abdication of Charles IV and Ferdinand VII in Spain. Their replacement by the French monarch Joseph Bonapart caused instability in The Captaincy General of Chile, as it did in other regions. The region was one of the less prosperous regions of the Spanish empire and it also faced internal problems as the governor of the Captaincy General of Chile had died and so the region was led by an interim regency, before the position was assumed by the most senior military officer, Brigadier Francisco García Carrasco. Although most of Chile was fervently royalist at this time, the struggle in the country was initially between Chilean revolutionary criollos who favoured independence from Spain and royalist criollos who wanted to remain as part of the Spanish Empire.

In the podcast below, Dr Juan Luis Ossa, of the Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez speaks about the revolutionary civil war in Chile.

The instability in Chile caused by the Napoleonic invasion of Spain (and the subsequent power vacuum in Spain) was compounded by the fact that Brigadier Carrasco was not supported by the criollo elites under his command. Further research is needed on the importance of social factors in the wars of independence but recent research by War and Nation co-investigator Dr Juan Luis Ossa has outlined the importance of commercial networks and social communities in the struggle for independence. Ossa Santa Cruz explains that there were a number of powerful elite groups in Latin America when the King of Spain was usurped in 1808 and the different groups had a variety of heterogeneous interests and aspirations. Some groups, for example, sought to rupture the constrictions imposed by the peninsular corporations that governed the Americas in the name of the King, but this did not mean that they wanted to break away from the Spanish monarchy. It is also important that commerce in the Americas crossed the boundaries of the colonial viceroyalties and so business networks connected the elites in Santiago to those in Lima, Buenos Aires and even Cádiz. This left the business community in a strong position when it came to considering and altering the political landscape. Despite these wide business networks, the elites in the cities often lived in a relatively small geographical area. In Santiago for example, the elites lived in a relatively small neighbourhood which consisted of a few blocks. Many of these Chilean elites came from a small number of Basque families. However it was not just the elites living in the main cities that had an interest in the changing political landscape. The lifting of trade restrictions was one of the key debates at the time and merchants from far and wide also had an interest in the differing political measures that would be imposed by a local junta. In Chile there was call for trade restrictions to be removed. Free trade, it was argued, would help mitigate against the economic crisis caused by the uncertainty that arose from the Napoleonic invasion of the Spanish Peninsular and the abdication of the royal family. The elites in Santiago were not simply questioning who should govern in the absence of the King, but also whether restrictive Spanish monopolies should be opened up to allow trade with other regions at a time of economic instability.
Further Reading
Ossa Santa Cruz, Juan Luis. " Miguel Eyzaguirre: las redes de un chileno reformista en la Lima del virrey Abascal, 1803-1816." Revista de Indias 77, no. 269 (2017): 137-167.

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1808 - 1814 The Revolutionary Civil War in Chile - War and Nation: identity and the process of state-building in South America (1800-1840) - Research at Kent

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Dr Juan Luis Ossa Santa Cruz, a co-investigator on the War and Nation project, and a specialist in the history of independence in Chile, divides the independence struggle in the region into three key phases. The first phase was what he terms the Revolutionary Civil War.