LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 195th Anniversary of the Inde-
pendence of Nicaragua on September 15, 2016

WHEREAS, Nicaragua takes its name from Nicarao, chief of the indigenous
tribe that lived around present-day Lake Nicaragua during the late 1400s
and early 1500s; and
WHEREAS, In 1524, Hernandez de Cordoba founded the first Spanish
permanent settlements in the region, including two of Nicaragua's prin-
cipal towns: Granada on Lake Nicaragua, and Leon, located west of Lake
Managua; and
WHEREAS, Relations between the ruling "peninsulares" and the Nicara-
guan "creoles" were not amicable, and although Nicaraguans did not
engage in the revolts like neighboring countries until the early 1800s,
political rivalry and opposition to poor representation and oppressive
laws led to revolution; and
WHEREAS, Nicaragua gained independence from Spain on September 15,
1821, briefly becoming a part of the Mexican Empire and then a member of
a federation of independent Central American provinces; and
WHEREAS, On April 30, 1838, Nicaragua's constituent assembly deemed it
independent and autonomous from Central America; and
WHEREAS, Many Nicaraguans have made New York their home, and this
Legislative Body is justly proud to thank the Nicaraguan people for
their contributions to this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 195th Anniversary of the Independence of Nicaragua on
September 15, 2016.