Every year on July 24, Ecuador celebrates the birthday of Simon Bolivar, the famous fighter for the independence of the Spanish colonies of the South American continent. Bolivar is one of the most prominent figures in Latin American history. For victorious revolutionary wars, he received the proud name "Liberator".
Simon Bolivar was born in 1783 to a Venezuelan Creole aristocrat. Having reached the age of 16, he was sent to study in Europe. At the universities of France and Spain, young Simon got acquainted with the progressive works of the enlightenment philosophers Locke, Hobbes, Voltaire. In 1807, he returned to his homeland with the firm intention to free the country from foreign oppression.
A year later, Bolivar, together with his associates, achieved the resignation and expulsion of the Spanish governor from the country. In 1813, Simon Bolivar led the revolutionary army and defeated the Spaniards, declaring Venezuela a republic. This victory was the beginning of the liberation movement for the independence of the entire continent.
In December 1819, Bolivar was elected president of the newly proclaimed Republic of Colombia, which included Venezuela and New Granada. A few years later, the rebels drove the colonial troops out of the province of Quito (present-day Ecuador) and annexed it to Colombia.
Bolivar's cherished dream was the unification of all Latin American countries and the creation of the state of the South American United States. To do this, he needed to become the unified leader of the liberation movement against the Spaniards. However, the struggle gave rise to many revolutionary leaders, one of whom was José de San Martin.
While Bolivar fought in the north, San Martin fought for the sovereignty of Argentina and Chile. He was no less a popular folk hero than Bolivar. Despite everything, the leaders did not become rivals. They met in the city of Guayaquil and made an agreement. In memory of this event, a monument was erected on the embankment of the city.
Modern city dwellers love this place very much. They come to the Bolivar monument on a holiday to relax, take a walk and listen to music. On July 24, traditional children's and military parades are held throughout the country, accompanied by numerous dance groups and crowds of ordinary Ecuadorians dressed in national costumes. Educational institutions of Ecuador organize various parties, discos and other events dedicated to the memory of the Liberator on this day.
