Venezuela celebrates Independence Day on July 5, commemorating the declaration of independence from Spain in 1811.
The Venezuelan Congress declared independence on July 5, 1811, making Venezuela one of the first Spanish American colonies to break formally with Spanish rule. The act followed the April 19, 1810 movement that created a provisional government in Caracas.
The date is observed with official ceremonies, military events, concerts, and patriotic gatherings. Venezuela’s independence struggle continued for years after the declaration, including major campaigns led by Simón Bolívar. A common mistake is to treat April 19 and July 5 as the same anniversary: April 19 marks the start of the 1810 political movement, while July 5 marks the formal declaration.