Independence Day (Venezuela)
[1] In recent years, it is also marked as National Armed Forces Day (Día de la Fuerza Armada Nacional) to honor the faithful service of all the serving men and women and veterans of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela.
That same afternoon, representatives Cristóbal Mendoza and Juan Germán Roscio presented to Congress the declaration of national independence with the approval of the secretary general, Francisco Isnardi.
The declaration proclaimed a new nation called the American Confederacy of Venezuela, as an independent state under the republican form of government on the basis of the 7 provinces belonging to the former Captaincy General.
The highlight of Independence Day celebrations is the annual national Caracas Independence Day parade along the iconic Heroes Avenue in Fort Tiuna district, Caracas, where the general headquarters of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces, the Ministry of Defense and the Military University are located.
The parade's guest of honor is the President in his constitutional duty as Commander in Chief of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces of Venezuela, and many state officials attend the event which is broadcast live on the state channel Venezolana de Televisión and simulcast on all private and public television stations (with VTV serving as the producer).
As the salute is rendered, the colours are dipped while the Massed Corps of Drums of the Military University sound the Marcha Regular.
As the thousands of assembled Venezuelans and tourists gathered in the viewing stands watch, the president reviews the active and reserve servicemen and women of the Armed Forces, officers of the National Police, veterans of the armed forces, government employees and workers of state firms and enterprises.
As the salute is rendered, the composite band plays the national anthem Gloria al Bravo Pueblo.
The parade commander and his staff, aboard an armored vehicle of either the army or the marine corps, then proceed to the presidential grandstand where the opening report is delivered.
The approval granted and the military personnel ordered to embark on the vehicles, the vehicles return to their starting position at the west end of National Heroes Avenue, following the national colour guard unit provided by the Caracas Honor Guard Battalion of the Ministry of Defence.
Recent parades have included a civil column preceding the main military portion of the parade, involving thousands of marchers representing government ministries, state firms, the Great Patriotic Pole, people's farming and industrial cooperatives, state economic enterprises, and athletes, in addition to cultural contingents showcasing the diverse cultures of Venezuela and her indigenous communities, and high school marching bands.
