By: Alizah Garvin
Prior to Independence Day we took the time to learn more about the history of Costa Rica. Columbus reached Costa Rica in 1502 and referred to this country as “Rich Coast” giving it its name. Costa Rica did not have a war of independence like other countries did but rather
gained it as a result of other Central American countries fighting for independence. All of Central America gained its independence on September 15th 1821. Since all of Central America gained independence at the same time a torch is ran through all the countries and it ends is Cartago, Costa Rica on September 14th every year. In recent years Costa Rica has progressed giving indigenous peoples, women, and afro Caribbean populations the right to vote. The country has also nationalized its bank and abolished its army becoming a completely passive country. As a result of this the money that would have been put towards an army is now going towards education which has increased the literacy rates in Costa Rica.
One of the Independence day traditions is to make faroles which are small lantern made out of paper that usually national symbols. Since we are all ecology and biology students most of our faroles reflected a tropical species found here in Costa Rica. A few examples from students include a blue morpho butterfly, a red eyed tree frog, and a sea turtle. I made mine into the shape of a torch and wrapped the flag around it to represent the torch that goes throughout all of Central America every year. On September 14th we participated in the celebration with the school children and marched with them with our frijoles.
On the morning of Independence Day, we attended the independence day parade in Santa Elena. In the beginning a man gave a speech and explained that the children are the future of Costa Rica and how necessary it was to invest in them for the better of the country. The children that perform in the parade go to a local private school that focuses on the arts. A lot of the children were a part of the band playing different instruments like he drums and xylophones. 
The younger girls would dance to the beat of the band and the older girls were dancing to their own music in traditional red, white, and blue dresses. Other kids were passing out flowers and treats for everyone to enjoy. I got a cute purple flower and some delicious sugar cane. The band was amazing and I thought the parade really brought everyone together tourists and locals alike. The parade went through all of Santa Elena and ended at a gymnasium where they had food and a place for the kids to have fun after the parade. Overall, we had a great time attending the parade and it was a good experience to see how another country celebrates their independence day.