Venezuela Battle of Carabobo Day

Venezuela Battle of Carabobo Day

June 24

The Battle of Carabobo was fought in Venezuela on June 24, 1821, between the Spanish, led by Field Marshal Miguel de La Torre, and the Venezuelan freedom fighters, led by Simón Bolívar. It was fought some 30 kilometers from the town of Valencia in Venezuela. The battle was one-sided; Bolívar's men suffered only one casualty for every 15 inflicted on the Spanish. Irish, Welsh, and English volunteers fought on Bolívar's side, comprising the British Legion. Their victory led to the independence of Venezuela. The day is sometimes celebrated in Venezuela as Army Day.
At the site of the battle is the Alley of Glory, along which a number of low pillars hold busts of the soldiers who fought in the battle. The alley leads to the Triumphal Arch, which features two female figures representing peace and victory. Below the arch is the tomb of the unknown soldier, guarded by two soldiers wearing uniforms from the time of Bolívar.
The Battle of Carabobo Day is marked by a military parade in Carabobo. The 2006 parade featured some 100,000 active duty and reserve troops, 170 tanks, 29 planes, and 500 military horses. In 2005, fearing a possible assassination attempt, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez had changed the site of the parade to the military academy in the capital city of Caracas.

CONTACTS:
Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the United States
1099 30th St. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20007
202-342-2214; fax: 202-342-6820
www.embavenez-us.org

Celebration day: Jun 24