Independence

I awoke this morning to the sounds of bands in the distance outside my hotel room here in Costa Rica. We are amidst the independence celebrations here. Costa Rica and other Central American countries all gained their independence from Spain in September of 1821. This celebration is marked by a torch-run that goes the length of Central America, carried out largely by groups of high school students. We were fortunate to be among those who stopped at 6:00 last evening for the national anthem while in San Jose. While driving home we saw fireworks to commemorate independence, and the lantern, or "faroles," parades that are done by smaller children. Throughout the day, we saw many school children in long, traditional dresses special for the celebrations.

The news story from this morning:

The symbol of liberty gets an official blessing
By the A.M. Costa Rica staffThere will be parades and civic ceremonies all over the country today as the nation celebrates its 184th year of independence. Today, of course, is a national holiday.As a tribute to the Antorcha de Independencia, President Abel Pacheco declared it an official symbol of the nation. However, the 17,000-plus high school students who carried the torch from the Peñas Blancas border crossing all the way to Cartago already knew that.The torch reached Cartago about 8 p.m. Wednesday where Pacheco and some of his cabinet waited with the new decree.In San José, municipal and educational officials turned out to receive the torch and ignite a larger flame at Parque Central precisely at 6 p.m. Wednesday. After the torch arrived, the national anthem was sung and patriotic speeches were delivered. As the torch left, first for a short stop in Zapote, fireworks lighted the sky.School children will march today in nearly every community with a school. At 9:30 a.m. the ceremony at the Monumento Nacional will be the official national independence event.