On Thursday, Costa Rica observes the Juan Santamaría National Hero holiday.

Although the official holiday has been marked traditionally on April 11, the government issued a decree to move the celebration to Monday, April 15, to allow public employees to enjoy a long weekend.

Schools, high schools, public colleges, institutes, public banks, municipalities, some public clinics, Congress, and ministries are some of the public institutions that provide non-essential services. As a result, most employees in these state-owned organizations are entitled to take off next Monday.

The government mandate additionally stated that public services categorized as essential such as electricity, drinking water, public security, public transport and public hospitals, among others, must take the necessary precautions to ensure the continuity of their operations over the holiday.

The Labor Law enables private company employees to have one official day off on Monday, April 15. This also includes non-governmental organizations, embassies and consulates, among others. If an employee agrees to work on a paid public holiday, they should be paid twice as much per day as normal.

Juan Santamaría, born in August 1831 in Rivas, Nicaragua, was officially recognized as a national hero in 2011 when Congress approved the proposal to celebrate the official day of one of the most remembered Nicaraguans in Costa Rica's history.

According to the Ministry of Public Education, Juan Santamaría represents the sacrifice of the people who fought for independence.

He was a drummer in the Costa Rican army recognized as a National Hero for his actions in the Second Battle of Rivas, which took place on April 8, 1856, in Rivas City, Nicaragua.

The battle was against the invading troops of the Nicaraguan army led by U.S. citizen William Walker (May 8, 1824 – September 12, 1860). Walker organized a military expedition into Mexico and Central America intending to establish private colonies.

Santamaría died in the battle carrying a torch he used to burn the enemy fortress, achieving a victory for Costa Rica.

In September 1891, a bronze statue was made in his honor by the French sculptor Aristide Croisy which is now housed in Juan Santamaría Park in Alajuela Province.

In 1971, during the presidency of Daniel Oduber Quirós, the name of the hero was given to Costa Rica's main international airport (SJO) located in Alajuela.

Three years later, in 1974 the Juan Santamaría Museum was founded, located in Alajuela City, in Alajuela Province.

The museum exhibits a large collection of writings, paintings, old drawings and numerous historical studies about Juan Santamaría and his contribution to the development of the country.