The time when Chile had 3 independence holidays.

September has arrived, and with it comes the most anticipated month for Chileans, as we joyfully celebrate our "fiestas patrias" (national holidays).

Officially declared by law in 1915 as Chile's independence celebrations, September 18th and 19th are the official days when millions of Chileans gather with family and friends to enjoy a “pie de cueca" (our national dance), delicious "empanadas," tasty "anticuchos," or a fine glass of Carmenere wine, our country’s signature grape.

A typical "fonda" and a "Pie de Cueca". Fondas are local shacks or huts that are made all over Chile to celebrate our national holidays. Cueca is our national dance and it recreates the flirting between a rooster and a hen.

However, the historical context of these celebrations is framed by nearly 100 years of the formation of our republic, during which, at times, there were not one, nor TWO, but THREE different dates throughout the year to commemorate our liberation from the Spanish Empire.

How was this many dates possible? Was it a mix-up? Let us explain:

- September 18, 1810, First National Government Assembly: On this date, the first national government assembly was established as a response to the situation the Spanish Empire was facing due to the Napoleonic invasion of its territories. While this event was neither an act of independence nor a revolutionary one (quite the opposite, in fact), it marked the beginning of decisions that eventually severed ties with Spain, leading to the independence of Latin American countries. As a result, most South American nations use this date to celebrate their national holidays, and Chile was no exception, making this the initial date for celebrations as ordered by the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, José Miguel Carrera.

A depiction of Chile's first government assembly

- February 12, 1818: As a consequence of the events of September 1810 and the subsequent Chilean War of Independence from Spain, the Act of Independence was signed on February 12, 1818. According to several historians, this event took place in the city of Talca in southern Chile, although other experts attribute it to Concepción, a city with a key role in Chile's formation process.

- April 5, 1818: It wasn't until April 5, 1818, during the Battle of Maipú, that the patriotic forces defeated the last royalist battalions of the Spanish Crown. This battle solidified Chile’s independence process, finally securing the country's full liberation.

Sworn of independence. 

After Chile's independence was consolidated, Supreme Director Bernardo O'Higgins (one of the founders of the nation) decreed in 1818 that Chile's independence would be celebrated on February 12 and April 5, as well as in September 18th. This led to the three celebrations in one year for our country. Later, in 1824, President Ramón Freire reorganized the celebrations to take place on February 12 (the official Independence Day) and September 18 (First National Government Assembly), thus eliminating the April 5 celebrations.

It wasn’t until 1837, under the presidency of José Joaquín Prieto, that the Independence Day celebrations were definitively set for September 18. This decision was mainly driven by economic reasons, as it was not feasible to fund three public celebrations a year. Additionally, at that time, Chile was a very religious country, observing Lent and Easter in February and April, which were more important to the community than the national holidays.

Today, celebrating the National holidays in September marks the arrival of the last quarter of the year with renewed energy, better spirits, and the first signs of spring, with longer days and warmer temperatures.

This year, nearly a full week of celebrations is expected, as the legal holidays will combine with additional days off that many Chileans will have from work and school.

If you're in Chile, don't miss the chance to visit a "fonda," enjoy a "choripán," drink a "terremoto" (be sure to ask what it is first), and learn to dance the cueca (even better if it's "cueca chora"). Experience what it means to enjoy our traditions in what is, for Chileans, the best month of the year!

Bicentennial Flag. Palacio La Moneda, Santiago de Chile.