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Celebrating Chile's Independence Day
- Valpo Surf Project
- Sep 17, 2015
- 2 min read
Happy Independence Day, Chile! On September 18th, 1810, Chile declared its independence from Spanish rule, and over 200 years later, Chileans continue celebrating this day with a variety of traditions and activities. Known technically as Fiestas Patrias or “National Celebrations,” this celebration is also called Dieciocho or “18th” because of its occurrence on the 18th of September. The Valpo Surf Project (VSP) recently asked their students to teach their staff more about the celebration, we learned the following facts:
-The “technical” independence day is the 12th of February, because this is when the first constitution was written
- September 19th is also a part of the Fiestas Patrias celebration. It is called El día de las glorias del ejército or “Day of the Glories of the Army.”
- This is a day for eating lots of yummy food! Some of the typical dishes include:
- Asado: A barbecue where an assortment of meat is cooked
- Empanadas: A bread pastry typically filled with pino, a mixture of chopped beef and onion, as well as half of a hard-boiled egg and an olive
- Mote con huesillos: A drink made from dried peaches with wheat.
- Alfajores: Two round cookies with manjar (caramel sauce) in between, typically dipped in chocolate
- Everyone goes to the ramadas which is a venue, often tents, prepared and decorated for the Fiestas Patrias where traditional Chilean food is served, games are played, and dancing occurs.
- Some of the typical games include: kites, rayuela (hopscotch), tug-of-war, sack and three-legged races, tops, etc.
Here at VSP we are very excited that we can be a part of this beautiful celebration and pay respect to the great country and its people with whom we work. ¡Viva Chile!
Reading about Chile's Independence Day reminded me that national holidays are much more than a day off. The traditions, local food, family gatherings, and even simple games are what keep a country's history alive from one generation to the next. Whenever I read about celebrations in different countries, one of the first things I check is Is Today a Holiday, just to understand how the date is observed and what makes it special. It's always interesting to see how every nation has its own unique way of honoring its past while bringing people together.
One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that a country’s real identity isn’t only found in history books, it’s found around the family table, in local games, and in traditions that people pass down with pride. Reading about Chile’s Fiestas Patrias reminded me that even simple things like empanadas, ramadas, and community celebrations keep history alive across generations. I actually checked the September dates using Calculadora Alicia while planning an international culture activity with my grandchildren, and it made me appreciate how every date has a story behind it when you take the time to understand it. ¡Viva Chile!
Celebrating Chile's Independence DayOn September 18th, Chile celebrates its independence with Fiestas Patrias (Dieciocho). The day is marked by traditional foods like asado, empanadas, mote con huesillos, and alfajores, and fun activities such as games, dancing, and ramadas (festive venues).
September 19th is the Day of the Glories of the Army. This vibrant celebration honors Chile’s culture and history.
For tracking academic progress, learn how to calculate promedio de notas to aim for top marks and get into La Mejor Universidad de Chile! ¿Dónde puedo ver mi promedio NEM en Chile?
While trying to find a simple Chilean grade calculator for students, I discovered this site and it helped me better understand the grading system.