Dominican Republic Holidays

Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is a Spanish speaking country off the coast of Central America. Its northern shore is by the Atlantic Ocean and the southern side is guarded by the Caribbean Sea. It’s on an Island shared by Haiti. Dominican Republic is two-thirds of the island Hispaniola.

The religion of Dominican Republic is mostly Roman Catholic. Because of their Catholicism, they have Lent. Lent is the forty days before Easter in which Dominicans celebrate Carnival. During the last few days of Carnival, they wear masks and costumes in the streets.

Holidays of great importance to the Dominicans besides Catholic ones are Independence Day, Restoration Day and some Dominicans celebrate on October 12 or “el dÐ"­a de las razas”.

February 27 is known to the people of Dominican Republic as Independence Day. This is the day, in 1844, that the Dominicans became free from Haitian rule. All over the country parades and carnivals are held on this day in celebration.

Restoration Day is a holiday because in 1861, Spain took control over the island of Hispaniola. But the Dominicans didn’t like that so they fought back until on August 16, 1865 they freedom. This day is treated like a second independence day because in a way it is.

In 1492, Christopher Columbus and his crew became the first Europeans to land on Hispaniola. Some people honor each October 12 as “el dÐ"­a de las razas.” They honor this time as the day different races began to mingle in the Americas.