Ecuador National Day

Ecuador National Day

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  1. 1809First cry of independence in Quito
  2. 1822Battle of Pichincha liberated Quito
  3. 1830Republic of Ecuador established

The story behind the day

Ecuador marks National Day on 10 August, remembering the 1809 First Cry of Independence in Quito. The uprising was one of the earliest independence movements in Spanish America.

Although full liberation came later with the Battle of Pichincha in 1822, 10 August remains the symbolic beginning of Ecuador's independence story.

Quito is the ceremonial centre, with official events, concerts, flags and school commemorations. Across the country the holiday reflects highland, coastal, Amazonian and Galápagos identities.

  1. 202610 August 2026 · Monday
  2. 202710 August 2027 · Tuesday
  3. 202810 August 2028 · Thursday
The flag
Ecuador flag

The Ecuadorian flag has yellow, blue and red horizontal bands with the national coat of arms on the state flag. Yellow represents abundance and land, blue the sky and sea, and red the blood of independence struggles.

Ecuadorian independence food reflects the three regions of the country — ceviche from the coast, locro soup from the Andes and maito fish from the Amazon.

What to eat

Ceviche de camarónCoastal Ecuador shrimp ceviche in a tomato-citrus sauce — served with chifles plantain chips and popcorn.
Locro de papaThick potato and cheese soup from the Andean highlands — served with avocado and hot aji chilli on top.
MaitoFresh fish wrapped in bijao leaves and grilled over coals — the traditional cooking method of Ecuador's Amazonian communities.
Seco de polloChicken slow-cooked in beer, naranjilla and herbs — the most beloved Ecuadorian lunch dish.
Bolon de verdeGreen plantain mashed with cheese or chicharrón into a solid ball — an Ecuadorian coastal breakfast staple.
FanescaTwelve-grain soup eaten at Easter and national celebrations — a uniquely Ecuadorian dish with pre-Columbian roots.

What to drink

Puro (aguardiente)Ecuadorian sugarcane spirit — consumed straight or in the canelazo hot cinnamon drink in the Andean highlands.
CanelazoHot punch of cinnamon, sugar and puro aguardiente — the essential warm drink at highland fiestas and cold nights.
Naranjilla juiceFresh-pressed naranjilla (lulo) fruit — intensely citrusy and uniquely Andean, the favourite Ecuadorian juice.
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Culture on National Day

Ecuador's culture spans the Inca heritage of the Sierra, the Afro-Ecuadorian traditions of Esmeraldas, the Indigenous Amazon cultures and the unique Galápagos ecosystem — all within a country the size of Nevada.

Inti RaymiThe Inca Sun Festival celebrated in Otavalo and Cotacachi in June — largest Indigenous cultural celebration in Ecuador.
Otavalo marketThe world's most famous Indigenous market — Otavalan weavers sell textiles in traditional dress every Saturday.
Galápagos IslandsThe living laboratory of evolution — Darwin's finches and the tortoise subspecies that changed how humans understand life.
Quito colonial centreThe first city named a UNESCO World Heritage site — Quito's Spanish colonial architecture is the finest in Latin America.