Colombia’s Independence
Day: July 20, 1810:
On July 20, 1810, Colombian patriots stirred the population of Bogotá
into street protests against Spanish rule. The Viceroy, under pressure, was forced
to agree to allow for a limited independence which later became permanent. Today, July 20 is celebrated in
Colombia as Independence Day.
Legacy of the July 20 Conspiracy:
Bogotá, like Quito and Caracas, formed a local ruling council which supposedly would rule until such time as Ferdinand VII was restored to power. In reality, it was the sort of measure that cannot be undone, and as such was the first official step on Colombia's path to freedom which would culminate in 1819 with the Battle of Boyacá and Simón Bolívar's triumphant entry into Bogotá.Viceroy Amar y Borbón was allowed to sit on the council for a while before being arrested. Even his wife was arrested, mostly to appease the wives of Creole leaders who detested her.
Many of the patriots involved in the conspiracy, such as Carbonell, Camacho and Torres, went on to become important leaders of Colombia in the next few years.
Although Bogotá had followed Cartagena and other cities in rebellion against Spain, they did not unite. The next few years would be marked by such civil strife between independent regions and cities that the era would become known as the "Patria Boba" which roughly translates as "Idiot Nation" or "Foolish Fatherland." It wasn't until Colombians began fighting the Spanish instead of one another that New Granada would continue on its path to freedom.
Colombians are very patriotic and enjoy celebrating their Independence Day with feasts, traditional food, parades and parties.
