The Declaration of Independence in Venezuela is considered one of the most important events in the history of this Latin American country. On July 5, 1811, representatives from seven of the ten provinces belonging to the Captaincy General of Venezuela gathered in Caracas' Santa Rosa de Lima Convent and declared themselves free from Spanish rule. This historic event is commemorated each year as a national holiday, representing the birth of the first independent nation in South America.
The declaration was the result of a long-fought struggle by Simon Bolivar and his fellow revolutionaries against the Spanish rule. The document, called 'Acta de la Declaración de Independencia', states the reasons for the separation and enshrines the new state's sovereignty rights. This proclamation was a vital step in the Venezuelan War of Independence and marked the beginning of a long and bloody war that lasted until 1823 with the Battle of Lake Maracaibo, and finally establishing Venezuela as an independent nation.
This important date in Venezuela's history is celebrated with much fervor and pomp across the country. It's a public holiday, marked by official ceremonies, military parades, cultural events, and displays of national pride. In Caracas, the celebrations are typically centered around the National Pantheon of Venezuela, where Simon Bolivar's remains are entombed. People from all walks of life come together to pay their respects and acknowledge their nation's history and the fight for freedom.