National Day in Chile
National Day is a public holiday in Chile that’s observed annually on September 18th. This holiday is also known as Independence Day, and it commemorates the date in 1810 when Chile declared its independence from Spain. Since this is essentially Chile’s birthday, the holiday is observed with quite a bit of fanfare across the entire length of the country.
Chile (National holiday)There are speeches delivered by civil servants and politicians, concerts, festivals, and fireworks. It’s also a public holiday, so people have the opportunity to enjoy patriotism in their country because it’s a day off for the general population, and many schools, businesses, and government agencies are closed for the day.
The History of National Day in Chile
From the middle of the 16th century to the early 19th century, Chile was ruled by Spain. Then, on September 18th, 1810, Chile declared its independence from Spain. This began an eight-year War of Independence before Chile could actually become independent of Spain on February 12th, 1818. Even then, it still took about eight years before all Spanish forces were removed from Chile.
Observing National Day in Chile
This holiday is part of a two-day holiday that takes place in Chile. National Day falls on the 18th of September, and the Day of the Glories of the Chilean Army falls on the 19th of September. This two-day period is full of celebrations, as is the entire week around these holidays. During this time, there are parades and festivals, concerts and dances, and there are tons of national parties.
There are also a lot of Chilean cuisines that are enjoyed on this holiday at both private and public celebrations. Some of the festive foods enjoyed by Chileans on this day include empanadas, cazuela, and choripan. It’s also a week of proudly displaying the Chilean flag from government offices, businesses, and private homes.
Chile (National holiday)
