The
Spaniards discovered this region in the 15th century and soon
thereafter commenced its settlement. Various adventurers assumed control over
sections of the country. In 1514 these districts were united into the province
of Tierra-Firma. In 1564 the Spanish monarch, Philip II (1556-1598) styled it
New Granada, which name was continued until the overthrow of Spanish rule in
the early part of the 19th century. Included in this title was the
present territory of Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela. Under the leadership of
Simon Bolivar (Bolivar was born at Caracas, July 24, 1783, and died at San
Pedro, December 17, 1830), after declaring their independence in 1819, the
three sections were united as the Republic of Colombia. Venezuela withdrew in
1829 and Ecuador in 1830, and soon after the Republic of New Granada was
established. Civil wars were frequent among the various departments but these
terminated in 1861, when at the Congress of Bogota the United States of
Colombia was established. In 1886 the Republic of Colombia was formed. Panama
seceded in 1903 and declared itself free and independent.
The
history of Colombia is linked up with that of Venezuela and Ecuador, and with
the viceroyalty of Peru, so decorations and war medals issued prior to 1831
are seldom distinguished. Likewise, several of the medals attributed to Peru
may also be classed with those of Colombia.
-
Centennial Cross of Boyaca, 1919
- In honour of
the centennial of the battle of Boyaca in 1819, this cross was created
August 8, 1919, by Decree No. 1667 and awarded to the officers and men of
the army of Colombia. It is a Maltese cross of 50 centimeters diameter,
having on the obverse the flag of the republic, enamelled in colours,
encircled by a gold band inscribed CENTENARIO DE BOYACA and on the
reverse 1819-1919. The ribbon is light blue. The cross was of silver for
officers and of bronze for the troops. On April 17, 1922, the award was
modified and its award to eminent foreigners was permitted. The decoration
was altered to three classes, gold, silver and bronze. On the obverse the
bust of the liberator (Bolivar) replaced the national flag and the
inscription was changed to COLOMBIA – CENTENNIAL OF BOYACA. The
reverse was also changed and the inscription read 1819 – 7 DE AGOSTO DE
1919. A third change was made in 1927 when the third class was
discontinued. The first class of gold was to be awarded to ministers,
diplomats and generals, both native and foreign. The second class of silver
to lesser officials. Later the same year a still further change was to have
been made, creating five classes, similar to the Order of the Legion of
Honour of France and similar Orders, but no confirmation of this has been
obtained. (Rosa, Numismatica, p. 51; Rosa, Leyes, p. 215; Filatel
Argen., April 1924, p. 406)
