It could be argued that all countries that were once colonies and which are now ‘decolonised’ have at least two independence days: the date on which independence was declared and the date on which it was achieved. In the case of Peru both 1821 and 1824 (Battle of Ayacucho) are candidates: the former is observed. (Gran) Colombia on 20 July 1810 ceased or refused to recognise the Napoleonic takeover of the Spanish throne, but many remained loyal to the Spanish monarch, Ferdinand. It was nine years later on August 7 1819 that, following the defeat of Spanish forces in the Battle of Boyaca, the force under Bolivar gained independence for Colombian Creoles. Slaves and Indians had to wait a while longer. Bolivar was amongst the few landowners who freed their slaves at that time.