The 20th century was a period of both deep shadow and vibrant light.

: An uprising in Bogotá triggered by local resentment toward Spanish rule is now celebrated as Independence Day .

Colombia ’s "story" is one of extreme resilience—a journey from ancient gold-carving civilizations to a modern era of cultural reclamation and peace-building.

Threading Stories to Construct Cultures of Peace in Colombia

: Starting in the 1960s, Colombia faced a complex, 52-year internal armed conflict involving guerrilla groups (like the FARC), paramilitaries, and drug cartels.

After three centuries of Spanish rule, the call for freedom reached a fever pitch in the early 19th century.