Independence Day in Honduras
On the 15th of September each year, Honduras celebrates its Independence Day. This day commemorates the independence of this country, as well as other Central American provinces, from Spanish rule on this date in 1821. For hundreds of years, the area that now makes up modern Honduras was under Spanish control—a situation that the native population found untenable.
Honduras (National holiday)Therefore, it’s easy to see why this independence celebration is so important to the people of Honduras. Because of its importance, it is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and quite a bit of showmanship.
The History of Independence Day in Honduras
On August 14, 1502, Christopher Columbus landed in Trujillo, and this would be the first time that he set foot on the mainland of Central America. Because the water in the bay was extremely deep, he named the area “Golfo de Honduras,” a phrase that means “The Gulf of the Depths.”
Twenty-two years later, in 1524, the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés arrived in the area to establish the settlement of Triunfo de la Cruz and to consolidate military forces against Mexico. This began a period of Spanish rule that would last for almost three centuries.
Eventually, Honduras became part of the Kingdom of Guatemala along with other areas that would later become Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and the Mexican state of Chiapas. The local population of these areas was not happy with Spanish rule, however, and unrest grew across Central America.
On September 15, 1821, the Act of Independence of Central America was declared by the Province of Guatemala. The regions became part of the Mexican Empire briefly before becoming the Federal Republic of Central America in 1823.
Observing Independence Day in Honduras
This holiday is observed with traditional dance and music, concerts, street parades, and street foods, and with special flag-raising ceremonies. It’s a day for all Hondurans to enjoy their independence and show patriotism for their country.
Honduras (National holiday)
