17 April 20

On this date in 1839, Guatemala became an independent nation. Originally a Spanish colony in 1523, it became part of the Mexican empire in 1821 and then joined with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua in the "United Provinces of Central America" in 1823. As that assemblage came apart, Guatemala became a republic on its own. My beautiful maroon stripes tie was handmade in Guatemala by a woman named Lily (according to its label), and was purchased at the Peace Craft Fair Trade store here in Berea.