The South American nation of Uruguay declared its independence from the Empire of Brazil on August 25, 1825. This holiday, the national day of Uruguay, celebrates that event with a flag-raising ceremony at the Plaza Independencia in the capital city of Montevideo followed by tributes to national heroes and a grand parade.

¡Feliz dia de la Independencia, Uruguay!

Many citizens have this day off from work and school, spending the day with family and friends, attending concerts, enjoying fireworks, and strolling the world’s longest continuous sidewalk, known as La Rambla, which runs along Montevideo’s scenic beachfront overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Uruguay’s national flag, adopted in 1830, is made up of nine blue and white stripes representing the original nine departments of the Uruguayan Republic and its national emblem El sol de mayo (the Sun of May) in the upper left corner.