U.S. Embassy will be closed tomorrow
April 10th, 2013 (InsideCostaRica.com) The U.S. Embassy in San Jose, including the consular section, will be closed tomorrow for Dia de Juan Santamaria. Other embassies will likely be closed as well.
The date marks the Second Battle of Rivas, which occurred on April 11th, 1856, between Costa Rican militia forces under the command of General Mora, and the Nicaraguan forces of William Walker, who had declared himself president of Nicaragua that year.
Juan Santamaria – the only Costa Rican to have a national holiday declared in his honor – gained his martyrdom in the battle, and Pancha Carrasco became Costa Rica’s first female soldier.
Santamaría, a drummer boy from the town of Alajuela, had volunteered for his country’s impromptu militia; his moment of glory came when the commanding officer asked for a volunteer to set fire to El Mesón de Guerra — the filibusters’ stronghold. Santamaría, torch in hand, fulfilled his patriotic duty. He approached the hostel and tossed his torch onto the thatched roof. This caused the enemy to flee, even though Santamaria was cut down by sniper fire in the process.
Tomorrow is also a mandatory holiday for all employees in Costa Rica.
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