Colombia observes 11 national public holidays each year, reflecting the nation's deep Catholic heritage and its patriotic history of independence from Spain. The calendar features several moveable religious feasts, many of which follow the 'bridge day' (puente) system established by law, moving holidays to the following Monday to create long weekends. Independence Day on July 20th and the Battle of Boyaca on August 7th are the principal civic celebrations, while Holy Week and Christmas anchor the religious calendar.