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Learning About Independence Days Throughout Latin America

Learning About Independence Days Throughout Latin America


Posted by admin Saturday, September 3, 2005 - 13:46
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On Sept. 16, many of us will be celebrating Mexican Independence Day, which has become a cultural celebration for
local Latinos who honor the day through parades and community or school events.

At dawn, on Sept. 16, 1810, a small group of Mexican villagers led by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a priest, began the fight for independence in Dolores, a rural town in the central state of Guanajuato. Mexico won its independence from Spain on Sept. 27, 1821, after 11 years of fighting.

But there are other Latin American indepedence days being celebrated in September that also deserve our attention.

Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, will commemorate their independence this month. Unlike Mexico, these Central American countries didn’t need years of fighting to gain its independence. These countries simply proclaimed their independence from Spanish rule in 1821, after being
inspired by the fight for independence of Mexico and other Latin
American countries at the time.

Groups of leaders from these Central American countries met secretly and wrote their own proclamations of independence, which they later presented to their Spanish rulers. These countries ended up gaining their independence at different periods in the early 1800s.

Perú, for example, gained its independence July 28, 1821, after José de
San Martín — also known as one of the liberators of South America — led an expedition for independence.

San Martín also helped liberate Chile, which celebrates its independence Sept. 18, 1810, although Chile officially gained its independence in April 5, 1818.

The following are some of the Latin American countries that are
celebrating independence in September.

Sept. 7, 1822 (Proclamation)
Brazil

Sept. 15, 1821 (Proclamation)
Guatemala
El Salvador
Honduras
Nicaragua
Costa Rica

Sept. 16, 1810 (Fight for Independence)
Mexico

Sept. 18, 1810 (Fight for Independence)
Chile

Sources:  http://diaspatrios.yaia.com;
www.sanmiguelguide.com/historia-independencia.htm;
http://icarito.tercera.cl; http://es.wikipedia.org

-- By ROSARIO ORTIZ, Más Staff Writer

Now that you've read this article, test your knowledge by choosing the correct answer.

1) Which are the five Central American countries that proclaimed its independence Sept. 15, 1821?
a) Puerto Rico, Cuba, Chile, Argentina
b) Chile, Cuba, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Paraguay
c) Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador,
Guatemala
d)Panama, Cuba, Costa Rica, San Jose, Honduras

2) In México, where did the fight for independence start?
a) Dolores, Hidalgo
b) Dolores, Guanajuato
c) Leon, Guanajuato
d) Irapuato, Guanajuato

3) Why does Mexico celebrate Sept. 16?
a) it marks the start of the fight for independence
b) it recognizes its proclamation of independence   
c) honors Emiliano Zapata
d) it marks the end of Spanish rule in Mexico

4) Name two countries in South America that also celebrate independence in September.
a) Chile, Cuba 
b) Venezuela, Brazil   
c) Chile, Brazil
d) Mexico,
Guatemala

5) When did Mexico proclaimed its independence from the Spanish crown?
a) September 16, 1821
b) September 16, 1821 
c) May 5, 1821 
d) September 27, 1821

Answers: 1-c; 2-b; 3-a; 4-c; 5-d
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