National Holidays & Special Events
in Costa Rica 2013
It has been said that Costa Rica has more holidays than any other country. Whether true or not, it is safe to say that apart from traditional national holidays, each region celebrates its own holidays and festivals. Here is a list of the most important holidays and events.
|
|
|
|
| Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
| |
|
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
* Children's DayChildren's Day
Children's Day is celebrated on various days in many places around the world, in particular to honor children. Major global variants include a Universal Children's Day on November 09, by Costa Rica.
Children's Day is often celebrated on other days as well. International Day for Protection of Children, observed in many countries as Children's Day on June 1 since 1950, is said to have been established by the Women's International Democratic Federation on its November 1949 congress in Paris
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
* Central America Independence Central America Independence
On Sept. 15, 1821, Costa Rica, along with the rest of Central America (minus British Honduras, or modern-day Belize ), declared its independence from Spain. Following a series of relatively mild rebellions from 1811 to 1814, a council of leaders in Guatemala drafted and signed Central America's official declaration of independence. Word of the region's newfound freedom reached Costa Rica nearly a month later on Oct. 13.
Although in later years Costa Rica became part of, and subsequently declared independence from, both the Mexican Empire and the Federal Republic of Central America, Ticos celebrate Sept. 15 as their true Independence Day.
Official celebrations will begin Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. as proud Costa Ricans gather together to sing the national anthem and light traditional candle lanterns. In Cartago, the country's original capital, east of San José, President Laura Chinchilla will receive a torch carried all the way from Guatemala as a symbol of the spreading of the good news of independence throughout Central America.
Wednesday morning will be marked by marching bands and children in school uniforms and traditional dress parading through the streets of every major city, carrying flags and singing patriotic songs.
The U.S. Embassy, government offices and most businesses will be closed for the holiday, and some roads will be closed in major cities to accommodate the parades.
|
16
* Ozone Layer DayOzone Layer Day
Time: 12:00 am
The United Nations' (UN) International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is celebrated on September 16 every year. This event commemorates the date of the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1987.
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
* International Day of PeaceInternational Day of Peace
The International Day of Peace,a.k.a. "Peace Day" provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date.
It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. The first Peace Day was celebrated in September 1982.
In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace.
By creating the International Day of Peace, the UN devoted itself to worldwide peace and encouraged all of mankind to work in cooperation for this goal. During the discussion of the U.N. Resolution that established the International Day of Peace, it was suggested that:
Peace Day should be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples…This day will serve as a reminder to all peoples that our organization, with all its limitations, is a living instrument in the service of peace and should serve all of us here within the organization as a constantly pealing bell reminding us that our permanent commitment, above all interests or differences of any kind, is to peace.
Since its inception, Peace Day has marked our personal and planetary progress toward peace. It has grown to include millions of people in all parts of the world, and each year events are organized to commemorate and celebrate this day. Events range in scale from private gatherings to public concerts and forums where hundreds of thousands of people participate.
Anyone, anywhere can celebrate Peace Day. It can be as simple as lighting a candle at noon, or just sitting in silent meditation. Or it can involve getting your co-workers, organization, community or government engaged in a large event. The impact if millions of people in all parts of the world, coming together for one day of peace, is immense.
International Day of Peace is also a Day of Ceasefire – personal or political. Take this opportunity to make peace in your own relationships as well as impact the larger conflicts of our time. Imagine what a whole Day of Ceasefire would mean to humankind.
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
