For Central Americans the most important national celebration is Independence from Spain

For Central Americans the most important national celebration is Independence from Spain, gained two centuries ago, and since 1964 has the Torch of Liberty as an important symbol. Also known as the Torch of Central American Independence or the Torch of Central American Sisterhood, each year the flame begins a 1.300-kilometer journey from Plaza de los Libertadores (Liberators Square) in the city of Guatemala to commemorate separation from that European country on September 15, 1821. After crossing Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua, carried by students, the torch enters Costa Rica on September 13, and after touring some 380 kilometers from the Peñas Blancas border post with Nicaragua, it gets to Cartago, a city from 1821, where the Independence Flame is lit to preside over national celebrations to mark the date. The Torch has a special meaning for Costa Rica, declared a National Symbol on September 14, 2005 as a representation of Costa Rican freedom and idiosyncrasy. Although researches say that the so-called Torch Race began in 1959, many historians, mainly from this nation, assure that it was in 1964, thanks to the initiative of Costa Rican educator and sportsman, Alfredo Cruz Bolaños.