Fiestas Patrias (Chile)

The Fiestas Patrias (literally Homeland Holidays) of Chile consist of two days, with a third one added on some years:

• 18 September, in commemoration of the proclamation of the First Governing Body of 1810, and marking the beginning of the Chilean Independence process.
• 19 September, known as the "Day of the Glories of the Army".
• Since 2007, 17 September (if it should be a Monday) or 20 September (if it should be a Friday) will be included as well.
• Since 2017, 17 September (if it should be a Friday) will also be included.

Within Chile the Fiestas Patrias are often referred to as the Dieciocho, or "18th" because the celebration occurs on 18 September. Unofficially, the celebration can last for around a week, depending on when it falls. For example, if the 18th is a Wednesday, public holidays are from Wednesday the 18th to Friday the 20th and celebrations begin the afternoon of Tuesday the 17th and continue until Sunday the 22nd. It is held close to the spring equinox of the Southern Hemisphere so it doubles as a spring festival. Chile's Declaration of Independence happened on 12 February. Most schools and jobs declare a week-long vacation for the holiday. This day is very important to the Chilean people because they are celebrating their freedom from Spanish rule.

The original purpose of 18 September was to celebrate the anniversary of the First National Government Junta (18 September 1810). Likewise, other patriotic public holidays were added: 5 April (Battle of Maipú, 1818) in 1819, and 12 February (Declaration of Independence, 1818) in 1821. In 1837, following the repeal of 5 April as a public holiday and the reduction of celebrations on 12 February, the purpose of 18 September became the commemoration of the process of independence from the Spanish Crown and the formation of Chile as a nation-state.

In its early years, the National Holidays lasted several days. Law No. 2977 of 1 February 1915 officially fixed them as two days in September: the 18th, “commemoration of National Independence,” and the 19th, “celebration of all the glories of the Army”, both of which are among the country’s five mandatory and non-waivable public holidays, meaning that paid work is prohibited, except for certain entertainment services (cabarets, casinos, cinemas, clubs, discotheques, pubs, and restaurants) and emergency services (pharmacies). During these festivities, the hoisting of the Chilean flag is mandatory on all public and private buildings throughout the country.

To commemorate Chile’s independence, national authorities attend four official events: the Evangelical Thanksgiving Service (Servicio de Acción de Gracias evangélico), the Ecumenical Te Deum (Te Deum evangélico), the Presidential Gala (Gala presidencial), and the Military Parade (Parada Militar). The National Holidays highlight customs and traditions typical of national identity, known collectively as chilenidad (Chilean-ness), and constitute the most important celebrations in Chile and among Chilean communities abroad. During this period, fondas or ramadas are set up as entertainment venues, combining folk music and dance with traditional dishes and beverages of Chilean cuisine.