On July 28, 1821, the Peruvian nation achieved its independence from the Spanish monarchy, thus creating the sovereign history of the Independence of Peru.
200 years ago, the Argentine José de San Martín proclaimed the independence day in Peru. Thus, a new Peru was born, governed by authorities democratically elected by its people.
History of Peru Independence
Although the demonstrations and revolts took place for more than a decade, it was not until 1820, with the arrival of José de San Martín and his Liberating Expedition, that independence began to be considered as a possibility.
San Martín had declared the Independence of Chile in 1818 and arrived at the port of Pisco, in Peru, in September 1820, when the independence movement first expressed itself in Huaura, where the Argentine declared the Independence of Peru for the first time in November of that anus.
The liberator spoke with the Spanish viceroy José de La Serna in June 1821 at the Hacienda Punchauca, about 30 kilometers from the center of Lima, and according to the book “History of the Republic of Peru” by Jorge Basadre, “he hinted at the idea of the independence of Peru based on reconciliation with the Spanish, through a constitutional monarchy, with a prince of that nationality”, but the viceroy and his generals rejected the proposal. De la Serna abandoned Lima, the seat of the viceroyalty, and suggested the port of Callao as a refuge for other Spaniards.
Then, the Argentine military entered Lima on July 10, on the 28th he proclaimed Independence in the Plaza de Armas and established a Protectorate that was to lay the foundations of the Peruvian State.
The words of San Martín during that ceremony are often repeated in school performances that stage the proclamation of Independence: “Peru is from this moment free and independent by the general will of the peoples and by the justice of its cause that God defends. Long live the country! Long live freedom! Long live independence”, said the liberator born in Yapeyú, province of Corrientes, Argentina, on February 25, 1778.
The Act of Independence of Peru was drafted by Manuel Pérez Tudela and signed by 339 residents of Lima who supported the separatist cause, including members of the town hall, the clergy, and university teachers.
What did Independence means?
Independence meant cutting all ties with the Spanish Crown, ending economic relations and improving the situation in which the indigenous people of the country lived.
Independence Day Traditions in Peru
Throughout the month of July (especially on the Day of the Declaration of Independence in Lima) the Peruvian flags are present in all kinds of offices, shops and family homes. In the same way that happens with other national holidays, local celebrations are held in centers that bring together the inhabitants of the different cities of the country.
Peru celebrates the so-called ‘patriotic holidays’ on July 28 and 29: by law all houses and public places must display the national flag on these dates, to celebrate Peru’s independence day.
The colors of this were born, tells the story, from a dream of San Martín, who one day in 1820 -tired in the bay of Paracas and thinking about the independence cause- fell asleep leaning on a palm tree and when he woke up he saw some parihuanas or Andean flamingos, with white breasts and red wings. Most congressmen, Executive Power officials and television presenters usually wear a red-and-white cloth or metal rosette on their lapel, and even private cars and even buses voluntarily place a small flag.
July 28 and 29 are generally holidays in the country. On the 28th, the presidential change of command takes place, as well as the annual message from the head of state; while the 29th is the day of the parade or military parade, in which the armed and police forces participate by displaying their ground and air equipment.