Costa Rica celebrates Independence Day on September 15 along with other nations in Central America that achieved independence from Spain in 1821. The national holiday is marked by patriotic parades, flag hoisting and student performances.

Costa Rica was a member of the Federal Republic of Central America until 1839, when it became a sovereign nation.

The eve of Independence Day in Costa Rica, or September 14, is known locally as the Night of Faroles when children parade through the streets with handmade lanterns. The tradition is honors a woman named María Dolores Bedoya who ventured out into the night on September 14, 1821, to call the residents of her town to meet in the plaza to rally for independence. The townsfolk gathered in the plaza with lanterns all night and into the early morning, waiting for word that the act of independence was signed, declaring Central America’s liberation from Spain. Then they shouted “¡Viva la patria! ¡Viva la libertad!”