COLEGIO SAN PEDRO DE QUILICURA

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Guía de ausencia 6° Básico

The Independence Day of Chile

On 18 September 1810, Chile broke from Spanish rule, declaring their

independence. The Spanish had ruled Chile since the middle of the Sixteenth
Century. The movement to independence had been driven by other South
American countries revolting against colonial rule, the French and Spanish
warring in Europe and the appointment of an unpopular Governor in 1808.

While Chileans celebrate their independence on 18 September, their

declaration in 1810 was the start of a long struggle and the Chilean war of
Independence lasted for eight years before Chile could officially proclaim
independence on 12 February 1818. Indeed, it wasn't until 1826 when the last
Spanish troops holding out on a remote island finally surrendered to Chilean
forces.

With Independence Day being immediately followed by another public holiday

(see below), the whole week around those days tends to be a period of
celebration. Many schools and some companies will declare a week long holiday.

The events around the struggle for Independence are remembered with the
'Fiestas Patrias' (national parties). These fiestas include parades (often
including 'huasos', the traditional Chilean cowboys), dancing, partying,
traditional Chilean food, and displays of national pride.

Activity

1. Underline all cognates from the text

2. Write your known words (English and Spanish)

3. Write a vocabulary (15 new words)

4. Make a summary of each paragraph in Spanish.