British Parliament passes the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 to grant settlers self-governance
The Act made New Zealand independent in domestic matters for all intents and purposes from its earliest days as a British colony.
Nations
The Dominican Republic adopts its first constitution
The Dominican Republic’s first constitution was adopted on November 6, 1844. The state was commonly known as Santo Domingo in English until the early 20th century.
The Republic of Ecuador is founded
Ecuador initially joined Simón Bolívar’s Republic of Gran Colombia. However, in 1830, Ecuador separated from Gran Colombia and became an independent republic.
The Treaty of Montevideo is ratified, granting independence for Uruguay
The Preliminary Peace Convention accorded independence to Uruguay in respect to Brazil and Argentina. Uruguay’s independence would be definitively sealed on 4 October of the same year when, in Montevideo, the signing nations ratified the treaty.
Brazil declares independence from the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and Algarves
The Independence of Brazil comprised a series of political and military events that occurred in 1821–1824, most of which involved disputes between Brazil and Portugal regarding the call for independence presented by the Brazilian Empire.
Honduras declares independence from Spain
Honduras gained independence from Spain in 1821 and was a part of the First Mexican Empire until 1823, when it became part of the United Provinces of Central America. It has been an independent republic and has held regular elections since 1838.
Panama declares independence from Spain
Timing the action with the rest of the Central American isthmus, Panama declared independence in 1821 and joined the southern federation.
The Act of Independence of Central America proclaims the independence of Central America from the Spanish Empire
The Act led to the eventual formation of the modern nations of Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
The Treaty of Córdoba makes Mexico legally independent
On August 24, 1821, O’Donojú signed the Treaty of Córdoba, thus ending New Spain’s dependence on Old Spain.
The Congress of Angostura declares independence for Gran Colombia
On 17 December 1819, the Congress of Angostura declared Gran Colombia an independent country. After two more years of war, the country achieved independence from Spain in 1821 under the leadership of its most famous son, Simón Bolívar.