- This July 5 marks the 212th anniversary of the proclamation of independence from the Spanish kingdom, an event that led to the emancipation of Venezuela.
Every July 5, Venezuela celebrates one of the most important dates in its republican history: its Declaration of Independence. This year, 2024, marks the 213th anniversary of this date that marked Venezuela’s definitive separation from the Spanish crown and its influence.
This declaration, made in 1811, was one of the reasons why the war of independence subsequently began, which lasted for more than a decade until 1823, when the last confrontation once morest royalist troops took place.
For this reason, this national holiday, along with the birth and death of Simón Bolívar, is considered one of the most important in the history of Venezuela.
The team of The newspaper He put together a list of seven interesting facts that you should know regarding this important date in Venezuelan history:
1. Pioneer Republic
Venezuela was a pioneer republic in terms of the declaration of independence because it was the first country in Latin America to officially separate from the Spanish Empire.
By that time, only two other countries had done something similar in the Americas: the United States (1776) and Haiti (1804).
2. Chapel of Saint Rose of Lima
The signing of the Declaration of Independence took place in the city of Caracas, specifically in the Chapel of Santa Rosa de Lima. Years later, the chapel became the headquarters of the Central University of Venezuela, until 1856, when the headquarters were moved to the Convent of San Francisco.
This building is currently the Municipal Palace of Caracas, the main headquarters of the Caracas Mayor’s Office.
3. Seven provinces
The Declaration of Independence was signed by deputies from 7 of the 10 provinces that at that time made up the Captaincy General of Venezuela. At the time, the Captaincy was responsible for the entire Venezuelan territory and part of present-day Colombia.
The provinces represented in the declaration include: Barinas, Caracas, Cumaná, Barcelona, Margarita, Mérida and Trujillo. Each of these signatory provinces is represented on the national flag by the seven stars. An eighth was later added in reference to Guyana, despite not having been part of the declaration.
4. Simon Bolivar did not sign the act
Although Simón Bolívar is considered the main architect of Venezuela’s independence, his signature is not found on the Declaration of Independence. The reason for this is that at the time of its drafting he was not part of the list of deputies representing the country’s provinces.
5. Deliberations
Although July 5, 1811 is considered the national holiday, the drafting of the Declaration of Independence actually began on July 3. During this time, a congress was formed in which the relevance of separating Venezuela from Spain and the consequences that this might have were discussed.
This was what led to the declaration of independence on July 5 with 40 votes in favor from the deputies of the entire country.
6. Act of Independence
Once the congress in which Venezuela’s independence as a free Republic was approved was concluded, it was agreed to draft the corresponding minutes. However, the work was not ready until two days later, that is, on July 7, 1811.
After the process was completed, the provincial deputies proceeded to sign it, which took until July 18, when the last signatures were stamped.
7. Discovery of the Act of Independence
Something little known regarding the Act of Independence is that it remained lost for more than 96 years. The reason is that following it was drafted, the war of independence began, which caused Congress to be moved to the city of Valencia in 1812.
During this same year, Caracas was invaded by Spanish troops, which forced the government to hide a large number of official archives for fear that they would be destroyed. Among them was the Declaration of Independence.
It was discovered in 1907 on a piano bench and was later acquired by the government of then President Cipriano Castro. Since then it has been kept in the Elliptical Hall of the Legislative Palace in Caracas.
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2024-07-06 00:08:11
