The Struggles and Dreams of Colombia: A Journey Through History Colombia, rich in culture, beauty, and history, has experienced many significant events that have shaped its identity. This reading will take you through four important moments in Colombian history: the creation of Great Colombia, the Thousand Days War, the Massacre of the Bananeras, and the period known as La Violencia. Great Colombia: A Dream of Unity In 1819, after years of fighting for independence from Spain, the visionary leader Simón Bolívar helped establish a new nation called Gran Colombia or Great Colombia. This nation included what we now know as Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama. Bolívar dreamed of a united South America, where these countries would stand strong together. But this dream didn’t last long. Differences between the regions, political conflicts, and personal ambitions caused Great Colombia to break apart in 1831, leaving each country to follow its own path. The Thousand Days War: A Nation Di...