Nicaragua Loves Marching Bands (and vice versa)

On September 15, 1821 Central America declared independence from Spain after three centuries of colonial rule.  Every year in León, marching bands from almost every school parade through the streets to celebrate.

I found this interesting: when Nicaragua originally declared independence, it was as one of five states that made up the Federal Republic of Central America, following the model of government that had recently been established by the United States of America.  This fragile republic broke apart less than two decades later, and Nicaragua declared itself an independent nation in 1838.

September 14 is celebrated as a second day of independence.  In the early 1850s, a civil war broke out Nicaragua's two largest cities, León and Granda.  León contracted the services of US mercenaries, led by William Walker, who gained military control over the country, and subsequently declared himself president.  Nicaragua united, and with the help of its Central American allies, achieved a decisive victory over the mercinaries at the Battle of San Jacinto on September 14, 1856.  Walker was ultimately expelled from Nicaragua the following year.