Pueblo Independence Day at Jemez Historic Site

Jemez Historic Site will host its annual celebration for Pueblo Independence Day. The celebration begins early Sunday morning with a 13-mile run from the plaza in Jemez Pueblo up Highway 4 to Jemez Historic Site. The run symbolizes the efforts made by runners over three centuries prior to bring word of the revolt to far-flung pueblos. Beginning at 10 a.m., visitors will have the opportunity to see traditional Pueblo-style dances and shop arts, crafts, and food vendors. Additionally, visitors can tour Gisewa Pueblo, an ancestral site of the present-day Jemez Pueblo, and San José de los Jémez Mission.

Pueblo Independence Day commemorates the anniversary of the Pueblo Revolt on August 10, 1680. That day, Pueblo people joined one another in rebelling against Spanish colonizers. The revolt was organized and led by Po’Pay, a leader from Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. Runners were sent to each pueblo with a knotted cord, with each knot representing one day. The morning run symbolizes those efforts made by runners more than three centuries ago. When the last knot was unraveled, it was time for the uprising to begin. The Pueblo Revolt, which was the only successful revolt by Indigenous peoples in the Americas against a colonizing power, forced the Spanish out of present-day New Mexico south to what is now El Paso, Texas. The Pueblo people maintained their independence for the next twelve years until the Spanish returned and reestablished a permanent presence in the region in 1692. Join us in celebrating this important day in history; we hope to see you there!

Included with admission of $7/adults and free to children 16 and younger, Native/Tribal Affiliations, NM foster families, NM disabled veterans, Friends of Coronado & Jemez, and MNMF members.