The Battle of Ayacucho was a decisive military encounter during the Peruvian War of Independence. This battle took place on the high plateau near Ayacucho, Peru. It freed Peru and ensured the independence of the nascent South American republics from Spain.

The terms of surrender stipulated that all Spanish forces be withdrawn from both Peru and Charcas (Bolivia); the last of them departed from Callao, the port of Lima, in January 1826.

In December 2021, with 95 votes in favour, 19 against and 2 abstentions, the plenary session of Congress approved a non-working national holiday on December 9th, effective from 2022.