Sep 15, 2018
Guatemala Independence Day 2018
Guatemala is situated just south of Mexico and boasts volcanoes, rainforests and Mayan ruins, and a multitude of diverse landscapes. Guatemala’s national day falls on the same date as Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and El Salvador as these countries jointly declared independence from the King of Spain in 1821 in a peaceful exchange of leadership.
Guatemalans celebrate the day by wearing blue and white, the colors of their flag, participating in parades, and carrying freedom torches (Antorchas de la Independencia) from town to town, in processionals. There is a single freedom torch which is initially lit in Guatemala’s capital city of Antigua and goes to all five of the Central American countries with linked independence days.
Today’s Doodle references Antigua’s landmark Santa Catalina Arch. Also depicted is the orchid, one of Guatemala’s best-loved flowers. The white nun orchid, one of 1,000 species native to Guatemala, is officially designated as the national flower, symbolizing peace.
Happy Independence Day, Guatemala!
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