Bolivia gained its independence on August 6th 1825, an event celebrated each year on the country’s national day. The journey to independence didn’t happen overnight. Sixteen years earlier, Bolivia was the location of the first stirrings of nationalism in Latin America. In May 1809, the ‘Primer grito libertario’ (first shout of freedom) took place in Sucre. Shortly afterwards, the flame of insurrection was lit in La Paz, the capital of Bolivia. 

On July 16th 1809 the Bolivian patriot Pedro Domingo Murillo led an uprising led a revolt of mestizos, or those of mixed European and South American heritage, against the Spanish authorities in La Paz. Murillo declared Upper Peru (modern-day Bolivia) to be an independent state, beginning the Bolivian War of Independence. 

To commemorate the momentous events of 1809, July 16th is now a municipal holiday in La Paz, and the day is celebrated with parades, concerts, fireworks, and dancing. 

La Paz is the second-highest city in the world and was the first South American city to have an electricity supply. It was powered by llama dung.  

July 16th is also Our Lady of Carmel, honouring the Virgin Mary. Mary is the Patroness of Bolivia and the Armed Forces of the Nation, and of La Paz. In fact, the official name of the city is Nuestra Señora de La Paz (‘Our lady of peace’).