Independence From Spain (1821)

The news that Guatemala had declared the separation from Spain on September 15, 1821, the Provincial Government of Comayagua Honduras declared independence from the Spanish monarchy on September 15, 1821.

Federal Independence Period (1821-1838)

Honduras later joined the Mexican Empire of Agustin de Iturbide, a fact which lasted until the formation of the Federal Republic of Central America in 1823.

Among the most important figures of the federal era include the first democratically elected president in Honduras — Dionisio de Herrera, a lawyer — whose government, begun in 1824, established the first constitution. Gen. Francisco Morazán — Federal President 1830-1834 and 1835–1839 — whose figure embodies the ideal American Unionist, Honduran José Cecilio del Valle, editor of the Declaration of Independence (signed in Guatemala on September 15, 1821) and Foreign Minister of Mexico in 1823.

Soon, social and economic differences between Honduras and its regional neighbors exacerbated harsh partisan strife among Central American leaders and brought the collapse of the Federation from 1838 to 1839.

General Francisco Morazán, a Honduran national hero, led unsuccessful efforts to maintain the federation. Restoring Central American unity remained the officially stated chief aim of Honduran foreign policy until after World War I.

Honduras broke away from the Central American Federation in October 1838 and became an independent and sovereign state.

Democratic Period (1838-1899)

Comayagua was the capital of Honduras until 1880, when it was transferred to Tegucigalpa.

During the decades of 1840 and 1850, Honduras participated in several failed attempts to restore Central American unity — such as the Confederation of Central America (1842–1845), the covenant of Guatemala (1842), the Diet of Sonsonate ( 1846), the Diet of Nacaome (1847) and National Representation in Central America (1849–1852).

Although Honduras eventually adopted the name “Republic of Honduras”, the unionist ideal never waned, and Honduras was one of the Central American countries that pushed hardest for the policy of regional unity.

In 1850, Honduras attempted to build (with foreign assistance) an Inter-Oceanic Railroad from Trujillo to Tegucigalpa and then on to the Pacific Coast. The project stalled due to difficulties in the work, corruption and other issues. In 1888, the project ran out of money when it reached San Pedro Sula, resulting in its growth into the nation’s main industrial center and second largest city.

Since independence, nearly 300 small internal rebellions and civil wars have occurred in the country, including some changes of government.