La Familia

Celebrating Independence Day!

In September, there are many countries in Latin America which celebrate

their Independence Day. Let’s have a look at them and how they celebrate.

In Mexico, on the morning of September 16, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y

Costilla, a priest who believed that a revolt against the Spanish colonial

government was needed called the Mexican people to action from the bell tower of

the church in the parish of Dolores in the state of Hidalgo. His cry is known as the

“Grito de Dolores”. The celebration in Mexico consists of big parties with typical

Mexican food and the president in turn, performs his own version of the ”Grito de

Dolores” in the Zócalo (main square) of Mexico City. There are fireworks, folk

dances and people wearing typical costumes.

On September 15, 1821, Guatemala proclaimed independence from Spain

for all Central American countries. Most of Central America celebrates

Independence Day on the same day including Guatemala, El Salvador,

Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.

The celebration actually starts on September 11 in Guatemala City, where a

flaming torch is carried all the way to the former colonial capital of Costa Rica in

Cartago. This symbolizes the arrival of the news of independence. The torch

bearers are children selected from local schools throughout Central America. The

torch crosses the Nicaraguan border into Costa Rica on September 14 and arrives

in the northern town of Liberia for a sunset ceremony. Along the way, torch bearers

from other places light their own torches and carry them to festivities in their home

towns.

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