Central American Nations Celebrate Independence Day, Marking Start of U.S. Hispanic Heritage Month
Five Central American nations—Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica—annually celebrate their Independence Day on September 15. This date commemorates the signing of the act of independence from Spanish rule in Guatemala City on September 15, 1821. The shared celebration across these countries is rooted in their historical status as provinces of the Kingdom of Guatemala, which declared independence as a single entity. The festivities are marked by various customs, including a student torch relay, the 'Antorcha Centroamericana por la Paz y la Libertad,' which travels from Guatemala to Costa Rica, lantern parades in Costa Rica, and school marching bands. In Nicaragua, both September 14 and 15 are paid national holidays, with the 14th honoring the 1856 Battle of San Jacinto. This Central American Independence Day also signifies the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States, which runs from September 15 to October 15. This observance was established by federal law, with the...
