Anniversary of the Battle of Pichincha in Ecuador in 2024

Anniversary of the Battle of Pichincha in Ecuador in 2024
The Battle of Pichincha was fought on the side of a volcano.
  How long until Anniversary of the Battle of Pichincha?
Anniversary of the Battle of Pichincha
  Dates of Anniversary of the Battle of Pichincha in Ecuador
2025 May 23, May 24
EcuadorSat, May 24National Holiday
EcuadorFri, May 23National Holiday (in lieu)
2024 Ecuador Fri, May 24 National Holiday
2023 Ecuador Wed, May 24 National Holiday
2022 Ecuador Mon, May 23 National Holiday
2021 Ecuador Mon, May 24 National Holiday
  Summary

The Battle of Pichincha took place on May 24th 1822, on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, 3,500 meters above sea-level, next to the city of Quito

  Local name
Batalla del Pichincha

When is the Battle of Pichincha Day?

Battle of Pichincha Day is a public holiday in the Republic of Ecuador on May 24th each year.

This holiday commemorates the battle that secured independence on this day in 1822.

History of the Battle of Pichincha Day

In the first decades of the 19th century, Spain was reeling after the French had invaded during the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon had installed his brother on the Spanish throne.

This meant that Spain's colonies didn't feel the sense of loyalty to Spain as they had done before and a movement for independence was sweeping across Latin America.

Ecuador's decisive moment of liberation came on May 24th 1822, on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, 3,500 meters above sea level, next to the city of Quito.

Victory was won by a Patriot army under General Antonio José de Sucre defeating a Royalist army commanded by Field Marshal Melchor Aymerich.

Done and dusted in three hours, this wasn't a large battle with massive amounts of casualties. However, it was important as it allowed the Patriot army to enter Quito, where Sucre accepted the surrender of the Royalists. This meant Simon Bolivar could add the Province of Quito to the Republic of Colombia.

To mark the day, patriotic festivities are held throughout the country, but particularly in the capital city of Quito.


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