This date honours the Declaration of Independence signed by the countries of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and El Salvador. Spaniards first established settlements in Central America in the early 1500s which led to clashes between the indigenous population and Spanish conquistadors. The Peninsula War allowed revolts in El Salvador and Nicaragua against Spanish forces, as well as the ousting of King Ferdinand VII from the Spanish throne. These revolts led to the Spanish Constitution of 1812, the first step towards Centra America’s independence. This proclamation affirmed national sovereignty but didn’t last long, as it was repealed in 1814 when Ferdinand VII regained the throne and abolish the constitution. In 1821 the provincial council of Guatemala joined forces with other Central American Leaders from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Honduras to sign the proclamation that would come to be known as the Act of Independence for Central America.
It is celebrated by a torch symbolising freedom being carried on 9th September from Guatemala to Costa Rica’s colonial capital, Cartago. It is then passed hand to hand through all five countries celebrating independence.
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