Sep 15, 2019
Nicaragua Independence Day 2019
This Doodle’s Key Themes
Today’s Doodle features La Bandera de Nicaragua, the flag that will fly throughout the Central American nation today in celebration of Nicaragua Independence Day.
The flag’s blue horizontal stripes represent the two bodies of water—the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea—that surround the country, while the white stripe stands for purity. The red Phrygian cap above the coat of arms is a symbol of liberty inspired by the French Revolution, and the rainbow represents peace. The five volcanoes stand for El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua—the five states that declared independence from Spanish rule on this day in 1821.
In honor of this historic anniversary, a torch will be carried by student runners from Guatemala City through Nicaragua all the way to San José, the capital of Costa Rica. Known as Antorcha de la Independencia, the annual 240-mile torch run recreates the journey of messengers who rode on horseback to announce the Independence of the five states that would comprise the República Federal de Centroamérica nearly two centuries ago.
Located between Honduras and Costa Rica, Nicaragua is the largest of all Central American countries, and their big size is reflected in their celebrations, too. Student bands practice for months, preparing to march in a parade along with the police and armed forces. The Presidential Medallion is awarded to the country’s best students and teachers. Music, street vendors, and food stands fill the streets. The festivities then culminate with a grand fireworks display.
¡Feliz Día de Independencia!
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