Why do several Central American countries celebrate their independence on September 15?

September 15 is a date on which Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica celebrate something in common: their independence.

On September 15, 1821, in Guatemala City, the Act of Independence of Central America was signed, drafted by José Cecilio del Valle and approved by representatives of various political, ecclesiastical and academic sectors.

Unlike other movements in America, independence was peaceful, the result of negotiations and political consensus rather than armed confrontation.

After independence, the provinces faced debates over their political future. Some briefly joined the Mexican Empire, while later they created the United Provinces of Central America, ancestors of the current sovereign states.

"In 1822, several open town councils met to vote on the annexation. Thus, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and Costa Rica were incorporated into the Mexican empire. But in 1823 the empire fell, the republican project was imposed, and a confederation of state-provinces was formed in Central America, independent of both Spain and Mexico," explains the National Historical Museum of Argentina.

These national celebrations, like the one in Mexico, also take place in the United States thanks to the participation of the immigrant community, which fills the streets of cities like Los Angeles and Chicago with parades, live music, and various events to pay tribute to their culture and traditions.

The beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 to October 15, the country celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month. A holiday to celebrate the achievements and contributions of the Hispanic community to the United States. In addition, it is a commemoration that remembers the indelible legacy of Spain in America.

It is a tradition that has been celebrated for at least 56 years. Its origin dates back to 1968, when George W. Brown, a member of the House of Representatives, first proposed that the country formally recognize Hispanic contributions through a law that would authorize the president to proclaim each year National Hispanic Heritage Week, around September 15 and 16.

Brown's initiative was backed by Hispanic-American congressmen Edward R. Roybal and Henry B. Gonzales and seventeen other legislators, totaling 13 Democrats and 6 Republicans. In that regard, as National Geographic recalls, President Lyndon Johnson, who was a teacher at a small Hispanic school, signed the resolution and that same day issued the first National Hispanic Heritage Week proclamation.

"Two decades later, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan proposed extending the celebration to a 30-day period, from September 15 to October 15 each year. This consolidated the Hispanic Heritage Month that is celebrated today," the specialized magazine reported.