On The Sandinista Revolution Day, observed annually on July 19, the citizens of Nicaragua honour the Nicaraguan revolution. This event is presently one of the most significant national holidays in the country and commemorates an important period in Nicaraguan and Central American history. This holiday commemorates one of the most violent periods in the country’s history, which lasted approximately 30 years. Today, however, this holiday commemorates the independence of modern-day Nicaragua.
The background of The Sandinista Revolution Day
The Sandinista Revolution signified the beginning of popular revolts against the military dictatorship of the Somoza family, which had ruled the country for several years. The Sandinista National Liberation Front would launch an anti-government campaign beginning in 1961. The campaign launched on July 19, the same day as the holiday. The struggle endured nearly a decade until 1979, when the Somoza government was overthrown.
Despite the fact that the Sandinista National Liberation Front led a vast and arduous campaign to liberate the country, the conflict was far from over. In an effort to suppress the development of Marxist groups in Central America, the U.S. government began supporting several Central American militias at the beginning of the 1980s. Eventually, this led to the Contra War, in which the Sandinista National Liberation Front fought against the U.S.-backed Contra militias.
Despite the military conflicts of the Contra War, Nicaraguans began developing their country in the mid-1980s. In 1984, the first general elections were held. The then-president of the United States, Ronald Reagan, condemned the elections in Nicaragua while maintaining support for the Contra forces. The elections were decisively won by the Sandinista National Liberation Front (S.N.L.F.). Foreign ministers from several Latin American nations, including Colombia, Mexico, and Panama, drafted the Esquipulas Peace Agreement to terminate the region’s wars shortly thereafter. In 1990, after eleven years of armed conflict, the Contra War ended.
Lempira Day in Honduras 2023: Date, History, Facts about Honduras
National Fortune Cookie Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities
National Lollipop Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities
5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT NICARAGUA
Nicaragua is named after one of the largest lakes in Central America, which is located in the country.
The location of Nicaragua makes it susceptible to natural disasters such as earthquakes and volcanoes.
Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, encompassing 130,000 square kilometres.
In 1990, Violeta Chamorro was elected president of Nicaragua, becoming the continent’s first female chief of state.
A characteristic of Nicaragua is that many streets in a number of localities lack names.
Nicaragua is a combination of the terms ‘Nicarao’ (a local tribe) and ‘agua’ (water).
THE SANDINISTA REVOLUTION DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | July 19 | Wednesday |
2024 | July 19 | Friday |
2025 | July 19 | Saturday |
2026 | July 19 | Sunday |
2027 | July 19 | Monday |