How did Central America declare independence from Spain?

Central America declares independence

El Acta de Independencia de Centroamérica

15 September 1821. Central America won independence without a war.

Draft: not yet checked against its sources.

Where: Central America, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica

What happened

Central America won independence without a war. When news of Iturbide's plan reached Guatemala City, capital of the old Kingdom of Guatemala, officials, clergy and notables met and on 15 September 1821 signed an act, drafted by the Honduran scholar José Cecilio del Valle, that freed the provinces from the Spanish crown and called for a congress. Within months the junta accepted annexation to Iturbide's Mexican empire, confirmed on 5 January 1822 over the opposition of San Salvador. When the empire fell, a decree of 1 July 1823 declared the provinces independent of Spain and Mexico alike, and in 1824 they became the United Provinces of Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The federation broke apart in the late 1830s, but 15 September is still their shared independence day.

Say it

El 15 de septiembre de 1821 Centroamérica declaró su independencia sin una guerra.

On 15 September 1821 Central America declared its independence without a war.

Why it matters

Five countries celebrate the same day and once formed one state, which is why Central Americans still speak of 'la patria grande' and share symbols, from the blue and white flags to the morning torch run from Guatemala to Costa Rica every September.

Read about it

Connected

Sources

  1. Época Independiente y Federación Centroamericana — Banco de Guatemala
  2. 24 de febrero de 1821, proclamación del Plan de Iguala — Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (gob.mx)