Costa Rica Independence Day: September 15
Costa Rica celebrates Independence Day as a public holiday.
Every year on September 15, Costa Rica’s Independence Day celebrations commemorate freedom from Spanish rule in 1821.
Costa Rica Independence Day History
Under Spanish rule, Costa Rica became a part of the kingdom of Guatemala from 1570 forward. Costa Rica’s inaccessibility from Guatemala City and because of its lack of natural resources it received little attention from the other provinces of Central America. The Spanish conquerors pretty much left the territory on its own devices. Costa Ricans therefore depended to farming that caters only for their own consumption. Costa Rica continued to play a minor role in the kingdom of Guatemala until the growth of tobacco as a major export. Guatemalan authorities later gave Costa Rica some importance because of its contribution in the production of commercial grade tobacco.
In 1821, Costa Rica joined the other Central American provinces in declaring independence from Spain. Costa Rica spent a brief time in the Mexican Empire of Agustín de Iturbide. Later Costa Rica became a state in the Federal Republic of Central America from 1823 to 1839. As the newly independent provinces formed a Federation, border disputes caused much of the region’s turbulent history and conditions.
Costa Rica’s membership in the Federal Republic of Central America was short lived because in 1838 Costa Rica formally withdrew and proclaimed itself sovereign as the Central American Federation was no longer performing its function.
Costa Rica Independence Day Traditions, Customs and Activities
The people of Costa Rica celebrate Independence Day with much fun and merriment. The national holiday is marked by nationalistic parades and musical performances by the students in the community. Celebrations start a night before Independence Day with a parade of homemade lanterns that symbolizes the day when the news arrived in Costa Rica at nighttime.
Other interesting posts:
- Anniversary of the Battle of Rivas (Juan Santamaria Day) in Costa Rica
- Nicaragua celebrates Independence Day
- El Salvador Celebrates Soldier’s Day
- Guatemala celebrates Independence Day
- Guanacaste Day
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