Costa Rica Celebratres 186th Anniversary of Independence

The streets and the Plaza Mayor of the "Antigua Metrópoli" (Old
Metropolis) - Cartago - were filled with activity celebrating the 186th anniversary of independence, with the arrival of the "independence torch" and the Arias government holding its cabinet meeting there.

At 6:00pm sharp, the national anthem began playing, paving the way for the commemorative ceremonies in Cartago, the original capital city of Costa Rica.

Attending the ceremonies were Costa Rican president, Óscar Arias; monseñor Francisco Ulloa, president of the Conferencia Episcopal; Education minister, Leonardo Garnier; Rolando Rodríguez, mayor of Cartago; and a host of foreign dignitaries.

All banks and businesses are closed in observance of the national holiday.

Source: AM COSTA Rica
Sept 15, 2007