DÍA DE LA INDEPENDENCIA

A public holiday, September 15 marks Guatemala's Independence, achieved on the same date in 1821 after a series of conflicts in South America and the establishment of the Mexican Empire. While the country's flag is hoisted almost everywhere, rallies and shows, as well as parades of marching bands, students and schoolchildren, take to the streets. Women don the traditional huipil , an embroidered chasuble worn with the corté, a long skirt cinched at the waist. In unison, the locals sing the national anthem.