Spaniards first arrived to what we known as Colombia in the early 16th century, where they formed their first permanent settlement in Santa Marta. Throughout Spanish rule the region was known as the Kingdome/ Viceroyalty of New Granada. In the late 1700s a strong opposition to Spanish rule from the colonists led to intense revolts and initiated a movement for self-governance. The city of Santa Fe de Bogota, which is the country’s current capital; established an independent government on July 20, 1810. This is the date that the country recognizes as their day of independence. General Simon Bolivar defeated the Spanish in the battle of Boyacá, and went on to become the first president of Gran Colombia. Gran Colombia consisted of Colombia, Ecuador,
