Celebrate Ecuador's Independence Day!

Ecuador Independence Day celebrates independence from Spain on August 10. On this day in 1809, Criollo rebels took control of the Ecuadorian capital, Quito.

In Spanish, it is "El Dia del Primer Grito de Independencia de Quito" (The day of the first declaration of independence of Quito).

El Dia del Primer Grito de Independencia de Quito

The Spaniards, led by Francisco Pizarro, retook what is now Ecuador from the Incas in 1533 after an Inca civil war. There is a lesson there. United we stand, divided we fall.

The Spaniards implemented a cruel caste system in which Peninsulars (Spaniards born in Spain) and Criollos (Spaniards born in the Americas) ruled over all others with impunity. The Spaniards introduced human slavery based on skin color. This medieval Spanish political, religious, economic and social system still bewitches us. It is a system of exclusion, exploitation and enslavement. There must be a better way.

The background to the independence of Spanish America was Napoleon's conquest of Spain in 1808. In rebellion against French control, Spaniards across the Americas set up their own governments. At first they were loyal to Spain, but soon the criollos chose independence.

The Quito rebels declared independence from Spain on August 10, 1809. Lacking widespread support, they were defeated in about three weeks. Although full independence was years away, it was the first step and is celebrated today as Ecuador's national holiday.

Ecuadorian independence

Guayaquil, Ecuador's main port and largest city, gained independence on October 9, 1820. Many Ecuadorians in New York are originally from Guayaquil.

Quito became independent from Spain after the legendary Battle of Pichincha on the volcano above Quito on May 24, 1822. This liberated Quito and the lands it controlled.

On July 13, 1822, the government of Guayaquil joined Quito in Gran Colombia, which includes present-day Colombia and Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, northern Peru, western Guyana and northern western Brazil.

On May 30, 1830, the Republic of Ecuador became independent from Gran Colombia.

The development of the modern Republic of Ecuador continued throughout the Presidential Act of Brasilia of 1999.

Freedom is an endless challenge that requires enormous personal responsibility.

Ecuador Independence Day in New York

The Ecuadorian Parade and Ecuadorian Festival are Ecuador's main independence celebrations in New York City. They take place in the weeks before and after Ecuador's Independence Day.

¡Long live Ecuador!