Ecuadorian Independence Day celebrates the Ecuadorian capital’s call for independence from Spain on August 10, 1809. Ecuador is divided geographically into coastal plains, Andes mountains, and Amazon jungle, so independence came to different parts of the country in stages.
Ecuadorian Independence Day in New York City
New York City’s Ecuadorian Independence Day celebrations include:
- Ecuadorian Parade of New York Desfile Ecuatoriano 🇪🇨
- Ecuadorian Festival of New York Festival Ecuatoriano 🇪🇨
- Sabor Latino, the Ecuadorian restaurant and nightclub in Queens, may have some independence events. 🇪🇨
El Dia del Primer Grito de Independencia de Quito
Pre-European contact, Ecuador was the northern end of the Tawantinsyu Empire (Inca Empire). Spaniards, led by the Francisco Pizarro, took over in 1533 after an Inca civil war. The trigger for the independence of Latin America was Napoleon’s take over of Spain in 1808. Across the Spanish Americas, Criollos (American Spaniards) refused to be governed by the French and set up their own local governments. At first they remained loyal to Spain, but soon chose independence.
Criollo rebels in Quito called for independence from Spain on August 10, 1809. The day is “El Dia del Primer Grito de Independencia de Quito” (The day of the first cry for independence of Quito). Lacking broad support, they were defeated in about three weeks. Though full independence was years away, this was the first step and is celebrated today as Ecuador’s national day.
Ecuadorian Independence
Guayaquil, Ecuador’s main port and largest city, gained its independence on October 9, 1820. Most New York Ecuadorians are from Guayaquil.
Quito gained independence from Spain after the legendary Battle of Pichincha on the volcano above Quito on May 24, 1822. This freed the capital and the lands it controlled.
On July 13, 1822, the government of Guayaquil joined Quito in Gran Colombia which included present-day Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, northern Peru, western Guyana and northwest Brazil. On May 30, 1830, the Republic of Ecuador became independent from Gran Colombia.
Development of the modern Republic of Ecuador continued all the way through the Brasilia Presidential Act of 1999.
¡Que Viva Ecuador!