On July 16th 1809 a group of rebels (known as the Junta Tuitiva) led by Pedro Domingo Murillo declared independence from the Spanish authorities, one of the first uprisings against Spanish rule in South America. The rebellion was put down and the leaders executed on 29 January 1810; ultimately though it led to Bolivian independence. Top left is part of the controversial new Government Palace / Casa Grande del Pueblo currently under construction.