– Uraguay Independence Day –

AUGUST 25, 2011

Uruguay celebrates Independence Day as a public holiday.

August 25th is celebrated as the Independence Day of Uruguay. Located to the east of Uruguay River, Uruguay got its name because of its geographic location as well as for historic reasons. It’s called Orientals, even though its situated in the Western hemisphere. Uruguay, also known as Banda Oriental, was once the colony of the Spain.

Early history and colonization

The only documented inhabitants of Uruguay before European colonization of the area were the Charrúa, a small tribe driven south by the Guaraní of Paraguay.

The Spanish arrived in the territory of present-day Uruguay in 1516 but the people’s fierce resistance to conquest, combined with the absence of gold and silver, limited their settlement in the region during the 16th and 17th centuries. Uruguay then became a zone of contention between the Spanish and the Portuguese empires.

 

 

In 1603 the Spanish began to introduce cattle, which became a source of wealth in the region. The first permanent settlement on the territory of present-day Uruguay was founded by the Spanish in 1624 at Soriano on the Río Negro. In 1669–71 the Portuguese built a fort at Colonia del Sacramento. Spanish colonization increased as Spain sought to limit Portugal’s expansion of Brazil’s frontiers.

Montevideo was founded by the Spanish in the early 18th century as a military stronghold. Its natural harbor soon developed into a commercial area competing with Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires. Uruguay’s early 19th century history was shaped by ongoing fights between the British, Spanish, Portuguese, and other colonial forces for dominance in the Platine region. In 1806 and 1807 the British army attempted to seize Buenos Aires as part of the Napoleonic Wars. As a result Montevideo was occupied by a British force from February to September 1807.

Independence struggle

The oath of the Thirty-Three Orientals

In 1811 José Gervasio Artigas, who became Uruguay’s national hero, launched a successful revolution against the Spanish authorities, defeating them on 18 May at the Battle of Las Piedras.

In 1813 the new government in Buenos Aires convened a constituent assembly where Artigas emerged as a champion of federalism, demanding political and economic autonomy for each area, and for the Banda Oriental in particular. The assembly refused to seat the delegates from the Banda Oriental however, and Buenos Aires pursued a system based on unitary centralism.

José Gervasio Artigas

 

Consequently Artigas broke with Buenos Aires and besieged Montevideo, taking the city in early 1815. Once the troops from Buenos Aires had withdrawn the Banda Oriental appointed its first autonomous government. Artigas organized the Federal League under his protection, consisting of six provinces, four of which are now part of Argentina.

In 1816 a force of 10,000 Portuguese troops invaded the Banda Oriental from Brazil and took Montevideo in January 1817. After nearly four more years of struggle Portuguese Brazil annexed the Banda Oriental as a province under the name of Cisplatina. The Brazilian Empire became independent from Portugal in 1822. In response to the annexation the Thirty-Three Orientals, led by Juan Antonio Lavalleja, declared independence on 25 August 1825 supported by the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata (present-day Argentina).

This led to the 500 day-long Argentina-Brazil War. Neither side gained the upper hand and in 1828 the Treaty of Montevideo, fostered by the United Kingdom, gave birth to Uruguay as an independent state. The nation’s first constitution was adopted on 18 July 1830.

Independence Day in Uruguay Traditions, Customs and Celebrations

Independence Day signifies that the country is now free and it is no more under the rule of anyone. A feel of freedom is aroused within each and every citizen. It is declared as a national holiday and all the people come together to celebrate this day in a grand way. As this day comes after a lot of struggle and hardship. So undoubted there will be lot of excitement and joy among the people. This day remind the citizens of the Uruguay that it was due to efforts of many that it is free and so they should respect the day.

 

 

On this day school, colleges and the working of a country are suspended. The national heroes, who worked hard to make the country independent, are honored, national flag is hoisted, and parade takes place and many more. There are some communities, which makes this day and aims at rising of funds for institutions such as hospitals and rural schools in Australia and Uruguay, many events are organized. It is a night of concerts and fireworks. Thus, this way to help out the needy ones. Every year, people try to make this day very attractive and memorable.

 

 

A Celebration of Women

sends our blessings to the Women of our World in Uruguay.

Celebrate your Indepedence!