Known in Spanish as 'Dia de la Patria', this is Bolivia's National Day and marks the signing of the Declaration of Independence on August 6th 1825.

History of Bolivian Independence Day

The area now known as Bolivia came under Spanish colonial rule in the middle of the sixteenth century and was known as Charcas. Initially, the desire for self-governance was driven by concerns about the ability of Spain to rule the region when it was under attack from France under Napoleon Bonaparte during the Peninsular War. Those who wanted self-governance still felt an allegiance to the King of Spain.

On May 25th 1809, the Chuquisaca (modern-day Sucre) Revolution was the first popular uprising in Latin America and is known in Bolivia as 'Primer grito libertario' (the first shout of freedom). This led to the Bolivian War of Independence which would last for 16 years. Eventually, the Colonial forces were defeated and Bolivian independence was proclaimed on August 6th 1825.

To honour the role of the Venezuelan resistance leader Simón Bolívar in leading the fight for independence, Charcas was renamed Bolivia. Interestingly it is said that when deciding what path Charcas should take after independence from Spain, Bolívar favoured a union with Peru and that naming Bolivia after him was a way to get him to accept creating a newly independent country. 

According to officeholidays.com