Independence Day Holiday Tomorrow
Tomorrow, Tuesday,
September 15, is Independence
Day in Costa Rica and
Central America in
celebration of 188 years
of independence from
Spain. Celebrations are
ongoing throughout the
region.
In Costa Rica,
celebrations include
arrival of the the
independence torch at
the Parque Central
tonight.
Paseo Colón and Avenida Central will be
closed off starting at 4pm today and Avenida
Central closed on Tuesday from 8am.
Banks and most businesses will be closed on
Tuesday, however, malls and large retailers
will be open with business as usual.
This year the public celebrations are
limited due to the risk of infection of the
AH1N1 flu virus.
Independence Day Quick History
Guatemala proclaimed
their independence from
Spain for all Central
America on September 15,
1821. Ironically, Costa
Ricans didn't find out
of their independence
status until a month
later.
Following independence,
Central America signed
the first constitution,
the "Pacto de Concordia"
and in December of 1821
Costa Rica held its
first ever elections.
In 1856, the American
filibuster, William
Walker, threatened Costa
Rica's independence by
attempting to make it a
slave colony. Walker and
his troops were pushed
back by the Costa Rican
people's army of 9.000
soldiers and with the
lead of Juan Santamaría,
defeated Walker.
Today, Costa Rica is a
democratic nation and
unlike the Central
American nations, army free. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
