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

Known in Spanish as 'Dia de la Patria', August 6th is Bolivia's National Day

It marks the signing of the Declaration of Independence on August 6th 1825.

Let's look at the History of this Holiday.

Before the Spanish conquests, Bolivia was a part of the Inca Empire.

Bolivia came under Spanish colonial rule in the middle of the sixteenth century and was known as Charcas.

In May 1809, the Chuquisaca Revolution was the first popular uprising in Latin America.

This led to the Bolivian War of Independence which would last for 16 years.

The Colonial forces were defeated and Bolivian independence was proclaimed on August 6th 1825.

Here are some fun facts to celebrate Bolivia's National Day!

The nation is named after Simon Bolivar, a Venezuelan who played a leading role in the fight for independence.

He was a military leader who also led Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Panama to independence.

Bolivia wasn't always landlocked. It lost 670 km of Pacific Ocean coastline to Chile in The War of the Pacific in the 1880s.

La Paz is unofficially the highest capital city in the world and the second-highest city.

La Paz was the first South American city to have an electricity supply. It was powered by llama dung.

Bolivia has the largest butterfly sanctuary in the world.

Bolivia exports more brazil nuts than any other country, including Brazil.

There’s a Bolivian hotel entirely made of salt. Even the beds and chairs are made of salt.

In Bolivia, married people can vote at 18, while single people can only vote at 21.

A clock on the National Congress building in La Paz runs backwards to remind citizens to think differently.

Most Bolivian homes have a dried llama fetus under the foundations for good luck.

Bolivians eat cocoa leaves to fight the effects of altitude sickness common in the highlands.

At 3,900 meters above sea level, the Sajama National Park is the highest forest in the world.

The Camino de las Yungas Road is the most dangerous road in the world. Each year, over 200 people fall to their deaths.

Bolivia is home to the largest salt flat in the world. The Salar de Uyuni covers a total area of 10,582 sq km.

Lake Titicaca, at an altitude of 3,812 m, is the highest commercially navigable body of water in the world.

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