Colombia has had a rollercoaster 200 years of history. Check out some key moments…
The case of the vase
On 20 July, 1810 – nine years before full independence – local Criollos (people of Spanish heritage born in the Americas) used an insult over a flower vase as a reason to riot against the ruling Spaniards.
This forced the Viceroy to agree to limited independence.
The rest, as they say, is history.
1819
Exactly 200 years ago, on August 7, the Battle of Boyacá took place – seen as the unofficial end of Spanish rule.
1819 – 1831
Gran Colombia
This was an expansive territory that stretched from southern Central America to northern South America. The name is used to help historians distinguish between “The Republic of Colombia,” which was the territory’s official name and is now Colombia’s official name.
1830
First military coup, by Rafael Urdaneta.
1832-1858
Nueva Granada
This was a republic consisting of present-day Colombia and Panama. It was formed after Gran Colombia broke apart, following the secession of parts of Venezuela and Ecuador. The territory also included parts of Costa Rica, Peru, Nicaragua, and Brazil.
1851
Slavery abolished.
1854
Second Military coup, by José Melo.
1863
Renamed Estados Unidos de Colombia.
1867
The Universidad Nacional is founded.
1886-1900
Regeneración
A series of reforms implemented by then-president, Rafael Núñez, which called for a powerful, centralised government rather than state supremacy, and restored the influence of the Roman Catholic Church.
1886
Current name República de Colombia agreed upon.
1899
Civil War of a thousand days kicks off.
1903
Panamá leaves.
1927
National Coffee Federation formed.
1928
Outrage at the ‘banana massacre’.
1932
Leticía Incident confirms Colombia’s stake in the Amazon.
1948
Colombian football finally takes off with the first national championship.
1948
Gaitán is shot, triggering El Bogotazo and later La Violencia.
1948 – 1953
La Violencia
Civil war fought between liberals and conservatives – campesinos, most notably – throughout the country which resulted in at least 200,000 deaths.
1951
Census registers more than 10,000,000 people in the country.
1953
Third military coup, by Gustavo Rojas Pinilla.
1954
Television arrives in Colombia with a rendition of the anthem by the Symphonic Orchestra.
1957
The Frente Nacional is agreed (also women voted for first time).
1958-1974
Frente Nacional
16-years of coalition government in which liberals and conservatives alternated four-year presidential terms. Agreed between Alberto Lleras Camargo (Liberal leader) and Laureano Gómez (Conservative leader).
1961
Manuel Marulanda Vélez founds the Republic of Marquetalia.
1964
Marulanda Vélez escapes to the hills after a military attack and founds the FARC.
1964-2016
FARC Conflict
Armed conflict lasting more than 50 years. Over 220,000 people have died, including an estimated 45,000 children.
1973
Census registers more than 20,000,000 people.
1982
Gabriel García Márquez receives Literature Nobel.
1984
Cartagena placed on UNESCO world heritage list.
1985
Attack on the Palacio de Justicía.
1991
The current constitution is ratified.
1993
Pablo Escobar is shot on a Medellín rooftop.
1994
Footballer Andrés Escobar is shot after conceding an own goal against the USA.
1998
Attempt at peace talks with the FARC.
2000
María Isabel Urrutia takes first Olympic gold in weightlifting in Sydney.
2005
Census registers more than 40,000,000 people.
2007
Café de Colombia is recognised as a protected label by the EU.
2008
The falsos positivos scandal came to light.
2016
Find here a downloadable version of Colombia’s history to hang up on your wall.