After the invasion of Guatemala in 1524 by Pedro de Alvarado, under the command of Hernán Cortés, the country that exists today was a mere colony of Spain.  It was not until the early 1800s that the descendents of the Spanish elite in Guatemala began to become restless remaining under the rule of a distant power. 

Though the criollos, people of Spanish blood born in Guatemala, lorded over the ladinos (those of mixed Mayan and Spanish blood) who in turn oppressed and dominated the indigenous people, they still wanted power to rule their own land and people.  Taking advantage of Spanish weakness due to Napoleon’s invasion of Spain in 1808, the criollos of Guatemala revolted and successfully gained their independence from Spain on September 15, 1821.

Though the people of Guatemala formally gained their independence from Spain and designed their flag with a scroll in the center reading “Libertad 15 De Septiembre De 1821” (“Liberty September 15, 1821), the people – the indigenous people – never truly gained their freedom as the suffered more than a century of oppression at the hands of the criollo and ladino people. 

If asked, almost any indigenous person they will say, “We are not free,” because sill today they suffer injustices and oppression.  However, they continue to celebrate September 15 and the idea of liberty with a hope for future freedom rather than celebrating the remembrance of achieving freedom in the past.

In the weeks leading up to the celebration, the children in the schools spend their time preparing dance routines to modern electronic and reggaton music to perform in the town square during the celebration.  On September 13, the young children in primario (the equivalent of elementary school) dressed in the red and white typical clothing of San Lucas, cowboy outfits or other apparel hold a short parade and small dance performance in the morning, followed by the students in secondario (middle school) on September 14.

To usher in the first minutes of the Day of Independence, the town hosts music in the park to entertain the people and children waiting for midnight.  At midnight on September 15 the torch is run in by a group through the town and carried to the steps of the town hall in the park.  There, the torch of liberty is lit and the celebration of Independence Day begins. 

All morning on September 15, the high school students participate in the parade of dancers, beauty queens elected at each school and marching bands.  After making their way through town they congregate for a dance competition in the town park.  They can now show off in front of the town those dances which they practiced for weeks in the early mornings before school.  Before the competition begins, the mayor traditionally gives a speech about the town, the country and freedom.  His remarks are concluded by the raising of the Guatemalan flag at the town hall and the singing of the nation anthem. 

As it is a day of vacation from work and school, the people and children mill about purchasing snacks, playing, chatting and watching the activities in the park.  The dances go on all day with a mid-day break for lunch.  In the late afternoon the activities end with the announcement of the winners of the dance competition, one final singing of the national anthem and the lowering of the flag with customary bombas (loud firecrackers) and fireworks ignited in celebration.

And though the next day means going back to work, perhaps for some to places where they still do not receive fair wages or treatment, they celebrate September 15 each year in the joy of hope for a future where they will one day be truly free.