Aug 25, 2018
Uruguay National Day 2018
This Doodle’s Key Themes
Uruguay may be the second smallest country in South America (at 68,000 square miles it’s slightly bigger than Suriname), but its 3.4 million citizens celebrate Independence Day in a big way. An era of successive of English, Spanish, Portuguese and Brazilian control ended with Uruguay’s Declaration of independence on August 25, 1825. Each year on this day there are parties, music, and fireworks across this country situated on the southeastern coast.
On Nostalgia Night, held on August 24, Uruguayans dance to hit songs from back in the day, whether the dramatic tango, the driving cumbia, or pop hits from all over the world. It’s a national turn back the clock night at nightclubs, on the radio, and at private parties. The tradition was started in the capital city Montevideo by DJ Pablo Lecueder and soon spread around the country, becoming an official holiday recognized by the Ministry of Tourism.
The nine stripes on the flag depicted on today’s Doodle correspond to the nine original departments, or districts, or Uruguay. The “Sun of May” represents Inti, the Incan sun god, as well as the May Revolution of 1810 when Spanish territories that now form Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, and parts of Brazil demanded their independence.
¡Feliz dia de la independencia, Uruguay!
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