Latin American Independence Days

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

• In Honduras, the people celebrate Independence Day passionately. Schools and colleges stay closed for the celebrations and children participate enthusiastically in music and dancing. Independence Day is marked by three days of celebrations

• Nicaragua's Independence Day: A burning torch travels from Guatemala to Costa Rica, carried by foot and passed from hand to hand in every one of the countries. Early in the morning the flag is once more hung out to commemorate the anniversary of the independence of Central America and the battle at San Jacinto. This act is led traditionally by the President of the Republic.

• The people of Costa Rica celebrate Independence Day with much fun and merriment. The national holiday is marked by nationalistic parades and musical performances by the students in the community. Celebrations start a night before Independence Day with a parade of homemade lanterns that symbolizes when the news arrived in Costa Rica at nighttime.

• Parades are the most important part of the Independence Day celebrations in El Salvador, and these parades last the whole day. Then at the end of the day, fireworks light up the night skies.

Clockwise from top left, flags of Columbia, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua.