Juan Santamaria Day is a public holiday in Costa Rica, and it is observed on April 11 each year. The holiday commemorates the anniversary when Juan Santamaria Rodríguez died on April 11, 1856 in the Second Battle of Rivas.
The Second Battle of Rivas was fought between the Costa Rican militia and the Nicaraguan forces of American mercenary William Walker in 1856.
Juan Santamaria was a drummer in the Costa Rican army, and he managed to set fire to the hostel where Nicaraguan forces were staying. The fire caused heavy losses in the Nicaraguan forces but also killed Juan Santamaria himself. When he died, he carried a torch he used to light the enemy stronghold on fire. Juan Santamaria's behavior contributed decisively to the victory of Costa Rica.
The following is the list of Juan Santamaria Day in Costa Rica from 2022 to 2026.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| Juan Santamaria Day | Apr 11, 2022 | Monday |
| Juan Santamaria Day | Apr 11, 2023 | Tuesday |
| Juan Santamaria Day | Apr 11, 2024 | Thursday |
| Juan Santamaria Day | Apr 11, 2025 | Friday |
| Juan Santamaria Day | Apr 11, 2026 | Saturday |
Please check more public holidays in Costa Rica: