Wars of South American Independence: Battle of Boyacá

August 7, 1819 - In fighting near el Puente de Boyacá, Colombia, Simón Bolívar (right) destroys a Spanish army and effectively secures Colombian independence. The Battle of Boyacá was the result of a race between Bolívar and the Spanish commander, José María Barreiro, to reach the Colombian capital of Bogatá. Force marching, Bolívar's army arrived at the city of Tunja ahead of the Spanish. After resting, Bolívar turned his army on the Spanish and attacked them as they were crossing the el Puente de Boyacá bridge. Catching the Spanish army split, Bolívar defeated each part in turn, capturing Barreiro and over half his men.

Photograph Courtesy of commons.wikipedia.org