November 14: The Congress of Colombia commemorated, in 1967, the death of the heroine Policarpa Salavarrieta, nicknamed "La Pola" and declared November 14 as the "Day of the Colombian Woman".

Policarpa Salavarrieta: Heroine of the Colombian Independence Movement

Today is the anniversary of the death of the heroine Policarpa Salavarrieta, affectionately nicknamed "La Pola". Policarpa was a spy for the New Granada independence from the Spanish Empire.

Statue of "La Pola" in La Candelaria, Bogotá. 1910 by Dionisio Cortés Mesa. Bogotá. 

"La Pola" brought information to the revolutionary movement, carrying weapons and ammunition, helping prisoners to escape, until the Almeyda brothers were captured and it seems that they betrayed Policarpa so she was captured and eventually executed by high treason.

$10,000 Colombian Pesos banknote, in circulation.

For that reason, she is considered a hero and martyr of Colombian Independence. Policarpa was arrested and locked in the “Colegio Mayor de Nuestra Señora del Rosario” in Bogota, which had been converted into a prison.

Policarpa Salavarrieta, ca. 1900. Colección Museo Nacional de Colombia.      

At 9 am on November 14, 1817, Policarpa Salavarrieta was shot to death with other fellow spies of the independence.


The Congress of Colombia commemorated the 150th anniversary of the death of "La Pola" in 1967 and declared November 14 as "Day of the Colombian Woman".

Oil painting by José María Espinosa.

Colombian females, happy day!