Editing History of Costa Rica (section)

==Independence from Spain==
[[File:Gregorio Jose Ramirez y Castro.png|thumb|[[Gregorio José Ramírez]] was the most notable political chief of the province of Costa Rica, leading republican forces victorious in the [[Battle of Ochomogo]].]]
In the early 19th century, [[Napoleon I|Napoleon]]'s occupation of Spain led to the outbreak of revolts all across Spanish America. In New Spain, all of the fighting by those seeking independence was done in the center of that area from 1810 to 1821, what today is central Mexico. Once the Viceroy was defeated in the capital city—today [[Mexico City]]—in 1821, the news of independence was sent to all the territories of New Spain, including the Intendencies of the former [[Captaincy General of Guatemala]]. Costa Rica joined the other Central American Intendancies in a joint declaration of independence from Spain, the [[Act of Independence of Central America|1821 Act of Independence]].

On October 13, 1821, the documents arrived at [[Cartago, Costa Rica|Cartago]], and an emergency meeting was called upon by Governor {{ILL|Juan Manuel de Cañas|es}}. There were many ideas on what to do upon gaining independence, such as joining Mexico, joining Guatemala or Nueva Granada (today Colombia). A group was declared (Junta de Legados), which created the temporary {{ILL|Junta Superior Gubernativa de Costa Rica|es}} while, "the clouds clear up" ("Mientras se aclaraban los nublados del día"), was a famous phrase of the events of the day.

Independence from Spain was acknowledged and ratified on October 29, 1821, by the colonial authorities. It was then ratified in the cities of [[San José, Costa Rica|San José]] on November 1, 1821, at [[Cartago Province|Cartago]] on November 3, 1821, at [[Heredia Province|Heredia]] on November 11, 1821, and [[Alajuela]] on November 25, 1821.<ref>Mi Patria, Fascículo #5, "Acta de la Independencia de Costa Rica", ''La Nación'', September 4, 2013</ref>

After the declaration of independence, the New Spain parliament intended to establish a commonwealth whereby the King of Spain, [[Ferdinand VII of Spain|Ferdinand VII]], would also be Emperor of New Spain, but in which both countries were to be governed by separate laws and with their own legislative offices. Should the king refuse the position, the law provided for a member of the [[House of Bourbon]] to accede to the New Spain throne.  Ferdinand VII did not recognize the colony's independence and said that Spain would not allow any other European prince to take the throne of New Spain.

By request of Parliament, the president of the regency, [[Agustín de Iturbide]], was proclaimed emperor of New Spain, which was renamed Mexico. The [[First Mexican Empire|Mexican Empire]] was the official name given to this monarchical regime from 1821 to 1823. The territory of the Mexican Empire included the continental intendancies and provinces of New Spain proper (including those of the former Captaincy General of Guatemala) (See: [[Central America under Mexican rule]]).
On 5 April 1823 the [[Battle of Ochomogo]] was fought between imperialist forces from Cartago led by [[Joaquín de Oreamuno]] who wanted to join the Mexican Empire and republican forces led by [[Gregorio José Ramírez]] who preferred to remain independent. The Republicans won and the capital was moved from Cartago to San José. 

As early as then, Costa Ricans already had overseas impact since Costa Ricans were one of the Latin American nationalities that had soldiers and officers in the Philippines who supported their Emperor, [[Andrés Novales]]<ref>[https://filipinokastila.tripod.com/FilMex.html "Filipinos In Mexico’s History 4 (The Mexican Connection – The Cultural Cargo Of The Manila-Acapulco Galleons)] By Carlos Quirino</ref> in his failed revolt against Spain.