What is Army Day/Día del Ejército?

Every year on June 30th, the nation of Guatemala celebrates Army Day, or—as it is known by locals—Día del Ejército. Army Day commemorates the foundation of the Guatemalan Armed Forces in 1871. On this day, liberal leaders in Guatemala incited a revolution that resulted in the end of the conservative government (often called the Liberal Revolution). However, for Guatemalans, the holiday has another symbolic meaning that is increasingly relevant in our current day and age. 

Before we get into this meaning, let’s dive into a mini history lesson so we can have some context. In 1960, civil war broke out in Guatemala between the government and leftist groups. Sparked by wealth inequality and land dispute, the war lasted for 36 years until 1996. Over 200,000 people were killed or disappeared, with 83% of these people being indigenous Maya (cja.org). These killings are often referred to as the Guatemalan Genocide (sfi.usc.edu). Indigenous and rural communities were devastated and are still experiencing the effects of the war today.

Celebrating strength in Guatemala.

Traditionally, Army Day is meant to be a day of national pride and service. However, many Guatemalans—especially those in Indigenous and rural communities—see Army Day as a day of remembrance for all the civilian lives that were lost during the Guatemalan Civil War. 

On Army Day, Guatemalans celebrate all different versions of strength. Strength doesn’t just look like uniforms on the front lines. Strength can be quiet. The single mother working multiple jobs to support her children has strength. The family choosing to be hopeful despite hardship has strength. The Maya grandparent who, after witnessing the massacre of their people, makes it their goal to pass on generational traditions has strength.

What does Día del Ejército mean for Guatemalan women?

Every day, the women of Casa Tabito and Grace & Fire demonstrate strength. While they aren’t soldiers, Día del Ejército is for these women, too. It’s for these women who reached out to Casa Tabito and nursed their malnourished children back to health. It’s for these women who juggle child-care and work so that they can create good lives for their families. It’s for these women who are already teaching their young daughters traditional weaving techniques so that they can preserve their culture. In a country where there have historically been less job opportunities for women, the weavers of Grace & Fire have found a place that pays livable wages and allows them to work with dignity.

June 30th calls for us to have the strength to remember all the hard parts of history while also working to build a better future—a future that can be cultivated through dignified work, livable wages, and cultural preservation. This way, communities can continue to build themselves up and see the past as a representation of how far they have come.