San José, (Prensa Latina) For Central Americans the most important national celebration is Independence from Spain, gained two centuries ago, and since 1964 has the Torch of Liberty as an important symbol. Also known as the Torch of Central American Independence or the Torch of Central American Sisterhood, each year the flame begins a 1.300 kilometer journey from Plaza de los Libertadores (Liberators Square) in the city of Guatemala to commemorate separation from that European country on September 15, 1821.