Today Costa Rica celebrates one of the most important holidays they have: Independence Day. Costa Rica was officially declared an independent country on September 15th, 1821 and although they received the news on September 14th, they celebrate receiving the news with a parade of paper lanterns at 6:00 pm sharp. Costa Rica Independence Day is celebrated on the date the news was officially received however, the independence document was not signed and official until October 29th, 1821.

 

Since that date Costa Rica became a Republic and began living under their own laws and duties, no longer under the jurisdiction of the Capitania General de Guatemala which was actually ruled by Spain. Costa Rica wanted to have this opportunity since as we all know their beliefs are very different from the rest of Latin America and besides being the “odd man out” Costa Rica is, in some areas, a role model, starting with the fact that they are the only country in America without an army since 1948. Also they based all their laws with the principle of peace. Costa Rica also tries to prove that knowledge can be the best weapon making education mandatory and free for everyone up to high school and including 3 public universities to support their very high rate on literacy.

Desfile de Faroles, Costa Rica

 

Costa Rica may be hated by their closes neighbors, mostly because Ticos do tend to appear clueless and as if they couldn’t care less about the rest of America, yet their efforts and assistance provided to other countries is not always taken into account mostly because they don’t make fuzz about it. Also other countries think that since they are not willing to fight in a battle or war, they just don’t care. They do oversee the fact that Costa Rica provides asylum to thousands of immigrants and gives them everything from social security to education for free, so in a way they help by doing tasks other countries won’t do.

 

Costa Rica land is rich not only soils but in people and I am very proud to be a part of these country. Its people have opened up to me as if I was a Tico myself and I am also celebrating Costa Rica Independence Day since they helped me with my own search for peace and good living.