Simón Bolívar Day or "Natalicio de Simón Bolívar" in Spanish is a national holiday in Ecuador celebrated on July 24th. Ecuadorians celebrate this day with military parades, as well as parades by children in schools. Parades are accompanied by music and dance throughout the country's streets, especially in Guayaquil where Simón Bolívar's birthday is followed by Guayaquil founder's day.

Simón Bolívar was born in Caracas, Venezuela on July 24, 1783. His full name is Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar. He is one of Spanish America's foremost independence leaders. Better known as The Liberator or "El Libertador", he freed northern and western South America from Spanish rule. Bolívar believed in freedom from Spanish rule and worked toward that goal as a writer, political leader, and military commander.

Bolívar is an independence hero. In fact, his contribution was the main reason for the freedom of Southern America. He is a national hero in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama Peru, and Venezuela. His birthday is celebrated as Simón Bolívar Day throughout Latin America. Banks, offices, shops, and other services close that day.

Bolívar was president of Gran Colombia from 1819 to 30. Gran Colombia was a federation comprised of what are now Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, and Ecuador. He was also the dictator of Peru from 1823 to 26. Simón Bolívar hoped to unite all South American countries into one, but not everyone shares his vision. His dream of unification dissolved amidst growing rivalries between military leaders. In 1828, he narrowly avoided an assassination attempt. Bolívar died, on December 17, 1830, near Santa Marta, Colombia.