Guatemala Independence Day – September 15, 2022
Guatemala Independence Day is celebrated on September 15 every year and is also known as Guatemala’s National Day. The day commemorates the independence of the region from Spanish rule. And while the full history of the events surrounding Guatemala’s independence is usually debated, the independence celebrations on this day are usually filled with colorful parades, concerts, and numerous civic campaigns. The local cuisines and beautiful Mayan designs on display during Guatemala Independence Day have become a major tourist attraction. The day presents the perfect opportunity to experience the full splendor of Guatemalan culture.
HISTORY OF GUATEMALA INDEPENDENCE DAY
During the time of Spanish colonization, Guatemala was a Captaincy General and a part of New Spain, which is now Mexico. At a public meeting in Guatemala City on September 15, 1821, the Captaincy General of Guatemala, which included Chiapas, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Honduras, officially declared its independence from Spain.
Before the Guatemalan flag was made in 1825, the country was thought to be part of the Mexican Empire. However, this freedom didn’t last long. In 1838, liberal forces from Honduras retook the country under the Federal Republic of Central America. The next two years were full of fighting because the Liberal Party of Guatemala started to fight for independence again. Rafael Carrera, a military commander who later became the first president of Guatemala, was a major force behind this fight.
The liberals eventually started the independent state of Los Altos and moved away from the parts of the former state of Guatemala that were now run by Central America. This was met with strong opposition from the conservative government of Central America because Los Altos was seen as an important part of Guatemala’s economy.
After a few months of fighting and more pressure from other countries on Central America, Guatemala declared independence from the United Provinces of Central America on April 17, 1839. In 1844, Carrera was elected Guatemalan Governor. Guatemala’s economy started to grow, and on March 21, 1847, the country declared itself an independent republic, and Carrera became its first president.
Even though the country has had many political struggles and changes in power over the years, Guatemala Independence Day gives Guatemalans a chance to celebrate their freedom from Spanish rule and show the world different parts of Guatemalan culture. Read More...
