September 15: Independence Day in Costa Rica
Prayer Idea
Pray for the people and government of Costa Rica.
Map by Peter Hermes Furian / Shutterstock.com.
History Note
Costa Rica means rich coast in Spanish. The name may go back to the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1502. The area was included in the part of the Spanish Empire called the Reino de Guatemala (Kingdom of Guatemala), along with the other future countries of Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala.
After Mexico declared independence from Spain in 1821, Costa Rica was briefly part of that country. The former members of the Reino de Guatemala formed a federation called the United Provinces of Central America. Costa Rica left this entity in 1838. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua all celebrate Independence Day on September 15.
The people of Costa Rica have built a strong and stable system of government. The people elect a president and vice president. They also elect 57 members to a unicameral legislative assembly with proportional representation of several political parties. The Supreme Court of Justice has 22 judges. Costa Rica’s 1949 constitution abolished the military as a permanent institution.
Costa Rica has a population of 5 million. Almost half are Roman Catholic and about 20% belong to another Christian denomination.
People in Quepos, Costa Rica, celebrate Independence Day on September 15, 2017. Photo by Cara Koch / Shutterstock.com.
Learn More
This video provides a quick overview of the history of Costa Rica’s Independence Day.
Find more resources at Homeschool History.
