Guatemala Celebrates Independence Day With Colorful Parades And Civic Campaigns Editorial Photo

Guatemalan students, soldiers and firemen participate during a parade in Guatemala City, during the celebrations of their Independence Day. 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. 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. 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.