The Road to Peru’s Independence: A Proclamation and a Long Struggle
Every year on July 28, people across Peru celebrate Fiestas Patrias, the country's national independence holiday. Streets fill with red-and-white flags, marching bands perform in town plazas, and families gather to eat traditional foods. Many people look forward to future celebrations, including July 28, 2027, when Peru will honor 206 years since its famous declaration. However, the history behind this date is far more complicated than a single afternoon of speeches.
In July 1821, the South American continent was deep in a fight to break away from Spanish colonial rule. General José de San Martín, an Argentine military leader who had already helped liberate Chile and Argentina, arrived in Lima, the capital of Peru. Lima was the center of Spanish power in the region, which made it a critical place to secure. On July 15, 1821, a group of prominent city leaders gathered in the Lima town council to hold a meeting. They signed an official document known as the Act of Independence, declaring that Lima intended to break away from Spain.
- colonial:
- Relating to a country or area controlled by a more powerful distant nation.
- liberate:
- To set someone or a place free from outside control.
- proclamation:
- A formal public statement or official announcement.
- royalist:
- A person or soldier who supports the rule of a king or queen.
- emancipation:
- The act of freeing someone from the control of another, especially from slavery.
- abolished:
- Formally put an end to a system, practice, or law.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What annual event takes place in Peru every July 28, and how is it celebrated?
- 2Why was capturing the city of Lima so important for the independence movement?
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About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
“The Road to Peru’s Independence: A Proclamation and a Long Struggle” is a explanatory article reading passage about Peru's Independence, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (514 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.