National Day of the Republic of Guatemala

TODAY, September 15, the Republic of Guatemala celebrates its National Day, commemorating their independence from Spain in 1821.

Guatemala, is a country in Central America bordered to the north and west by Mexico, to the northeast by Belize, and to the southeast by Honduras and El Salvador. On the west is The Pacific Ocean; on the east, the Caribbean. Its is the most populous country of Central America with a population of roughly 17.3 million. Its capital is Guatemala City.

Tradition says that the name Guatemala came from the Maya word Guhatezmalh, which is attributed to the volcano called “Mountain that Vomits Water” located near the old capital in Antigua.

Guatemalan remittances constitute the largest source of foreign income in the country, larger than the income earned from exports and tourism. Main products for export are organic coffee, sugar, textiles, fresh vegetables, and bananas. The country is known for its diverse biological and ecological systems.

After its independence from Spain in 1821, the country joined the Mexican Empire. Guatemala became a democratic country in 1985. A guerrilla war ended with a peace accord with rebels signed in 1996.

Guatemala’s celebration of Independence Day is accompanied by dances, parades, and fireworks. There was torch parades and marathons commemorating how Doña Dolores Bedoya de Molina went to the streets with a torch the night the Independence document was signed, urging everyone to support the country’s move for independence from Spain.

We congratulate the government and people of the Republic of Guatemala led by President Jimmy Morales on the occasion of its National Day.