( CNN ) -- For one weekend in September more than 155 million people in six neighboring countries in one continent pull out all the stops to honor the birth of their nations . Five Central American countries -- Guatemala , El Salvador , Honduras , Nicaragua and Costa Rica -- kick off their Independence Day celebrations on September 15 , the date when , in 1821 , they declared independence from Spain , while the following day Mexico holds its own independence celebrations . We asked people from each country to send in their best images from past and present Independence Day celebrations . From masked revelers in Guatemala to elaborately costumed dance troupes in Honduras , we received stunning images from nations proud to celebrate their beginnings . More Celebrates : The world 's best firework displays . Like the best birthday celebrations , the events are marked with glorious parades , street parties , festivals and family gatherings . TV producer Brad Cordeiro was in San Juan del Sur , Nicaragua , when he captured stunning images of young women in beautiful flowing blue dresses performing in a parade held for the country 's Independence Day . `` The feel of the parade was of a lot of proud parents watching their kids participate , '' he said . `` The celebration was a week long , and as San Juan del Sur is a resort town people from all over the country came to town , it felt like the whole country was there , '' he said . Sometimes the celebrations can provide the most eye-opening of visuals . In Guatemala City , anthropologist Lucas de Soto captured this image of a rather motley crew of soldiers , worker and , yes , a man dressed in a bird suit during the country 's celebrations in 2011 . `` It 's ... sort of a fun side to the military that they wanted to present with the festive atmosphere , despite how ambivalent the general public is about them , '' he said . `` They were dressing up as bears , and wrestlers , and handing out candy . '' More Celebrates : The world 's messiest festivals . Elsewhere on the continent , in Honduras , Independence day for U.S. photographer Hunter Johnson means a chance to give the orphans who live in the homes his organization houses the opportunity to take part in the many parades held to honor the day . His beautiful image captures several young girls from one of the organization 's centers proudly dressed in their dancing finery ahead of a parade in Talanga , Honduras . `` The parade I witnessed in Honduras was certainly simpler from a materialistic perspective , but it did not lack whatsoever in energy and passion among its participants , '' he said . `` They were proud to don colorful outfits and march in unison as they honored their country in music and dance . ''
Guatemala , El Salvador , Honduras , Nicaragua and Costa Rica celebrate on September 15 . Mexico celebrate its Independence Day , sometimes referred to as El Grito , on September 15 . iReporters from all the countries shared their best Independence Day .