15 September 22

Guatemala celebrates its independence on 15 September. The date is also known as Central American Independence Day, because  El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua all became independent states through the Act of Independence of Central America. This was adopted by the five countries on 15 September 1821, and it was accepted by Spain without any intervention. My tie with its nice colored stripes was handmade in Guatemala by "Lily" (according to the label) and was purchased at Peace Craft, our local outlet for Fair Trade goods.

15 September 21

Happy Independence Day, Guatemala! 200 years ago today, Guatemala (along with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua) achieved independence from Spain. Originally it became part of the Mexican empire, but two years later the smaller nations formed the "United Provinces of Central America." Still later, in 1839, Guatemala became an individual nation. So the citizens can celebrate two independence dates, 15 September and 17 April. My multicolor striped tie was handmade in Guatemala by "Lily" and was purchased in Berea, KY, through Fair Trade. We support Fair Trade as the best economic model to insure that workers in other countries get good wages and good working conditions. Besides clothes and accessories (including neckties), we always seek Fair Trade options for coffee, premium chocolates, jewelry and other gift items from foreign lands. We've found it tough to locate Fair Trade bananas.

15 September 20

Happy Independence Day, Guatemala! 199 years ago, Guatemala (along with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua) achieved independence from Spain. Google produced a Doodle featuring the Guatemalan flag. My multicolor striped tie was handmade in Guatemala by "Lily" and was purchased in Berea, KY, through Fair Trade. We support Fair Trade as the best economic model to insure that workers in other countries get good wages and good working conditions. Besides clothes and accessories (including neckties), we always seek Fair Trade options for coffee, premium chocolates, jewelry and other gift items from foreign lands. We've found it tough to locate Fair Trade bananas.

 

17 April 19

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 colored-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.

17 April 18

Wearing this tie on 17 April for the third year in a row: On this date in 1839, Guatemala became a republic. The country's convoluted history includes independence from Spain in 1821 (celebrated annually on 15 September) and a series of federations with the Mexican Empire and other nearby provinces, before Rafael Carrera, an "illiterate dictator with imperial designs" (nationsencyclopedia.com) created a republic of Guatemala in 1839.

My multicolor-striped tie was handmade in Guatemala by "Lily" (according to its label) and was purchased at our local Fair Trade store, PeaceCraft. Fair Trade is an international small business marketing exchange that delivers an honest wage to those who produce the goods.

17 April 17

On this date in 1839, Guatemala became a republic. The country's convoluted history includes independence from Spain in 1821 (celebrated annually on 15 September) and a series of federations with the Mexican Empire and other nearby provinces, before Rafael Carrera, an "illiterate dictator with imperial designs" (nationsencyclopedia.com) created a republic of Guatemala in 1839.

My multicolor-striped tie was handmade in Guatemala by "Lily" (according to its label) and was purchased at our local Fair Trade store, PeaceCraft. Fair Trade is an international small business marketing exchange that delivers an honest wage to those who produce the goods.

On my tie bar, the center square is one-ninth of a silver pendant created to honor the birth of Mallie Jayden Elizabeth Kleppinger, in July 2013. The other segments from the monogrammed pendant belong to her parents and other family members, with the expectation that we can gather to "reunite" the pieces at future celebrations of special events in Mallie's life!

17 April 16

On this date in 1839, Guatemala became a republic. The country's convoluted history includes independence from Spain in 1821 (celebrated annually on 15 September) and a series of federations with the Mexican Empire and other nearby provinces, before Rafael Carrera, an "illiterate dictator with imperial designs" (nationsencyclopedia.com) created a republic of Guatemala in 1839.

My multicolor-striped tie was handmade in Guatemala by "Lily" (according to its label) and was purchased at our local Fair Trade store, PeaceCraft. Fair Trade is an international small business marketing exchange that delivers an honest wage to those who produce the goods.

4 February 16

I don't have any particular celebration for today, except that it's my own half-birthday. (Math fans will also note that the date can be expressed in the equation 4**2=16.) So I'm choosing to wear this excellent Fair Trade tie from Guatemala, which was a Christmas present from my wife. Its tag says it was handmade by "Lily."