Morazan´s Day
Morazan’s Day is a public holiday that is usually observed on the 3rd of October in Honduras every year. We say “usually” because while October 3rd is the traditional day for this holiday, the date may be moved to accommodate other important days on the holiday calendar.
Honduras (National holiday)For example, in 2021, it was moved to October 6th and celebrated as only a half-day. This day is officially known as Francisco Morazan’s Birthday and celebrates the birthday of the politician who was the president of the Federal Republic of Central America from 1830 to 1839.
Because of this day’s proximity to other public holidays on Honduras’s calendar, the entire first week of October is a good break for the residents of the country.
The History of Morazan’s Day in Honduras
Francisco Morazan was born on October 3rd, 1792, in Tegucigalpa, which was at the time in the Captaincy General of Guatemala — the Spanish Empire’s administrative district for the region. When the Captaincy became independent from Spain in 1821, Morazan got involved in politics and would ultimately volunteer to oppose the annexation of Central America by Mexico.
In 1823, Central America split from Mexico, and Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and El Salvador became unified. Jose Manuel Arce was then elected president, and he supported a strong central government that worked in unison with the Catholic Church.
Morazan’s uncle, Dionisio de Herrera, was elected as head of state in Honduras and tried to move the country on a different path. Arce would then send troops to stop this path Honduras was taking, and Morazan led the defense.
However, he was defeated and ultimately captured. After leading a small army in Nicaragua and capturing Honduras, Morazan became quite famous for his actions. In 1830, he was elected to serve as president of the Federal Republic of Central America.
Observing Morazan’s Day in Honduras
This holiday is observed with festivals, parades, and a number of other festivities all across the country. Because of the proximity of other holidays during the week, this begins an extended period of holidays that many Hondurans can enjoy.
Honduras (National holiday)
