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  September 15, 1821 is the date in which the people of Costa Rica gained their independence from Spain and joined the recently founded Mexican empire.
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  Eventually Costa Rica itself became a fully functioning independent country.
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  The United States Marines arrived on the beaches of Costa Rica to protect american interests in the country.
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  A well divided presidential election led to one of the bloodiest conflicts in Costa Rican history, lasting Mar. 12, 1948- April 24, 1948.
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  Women and people of African decent are finally able to legally vote in elections sometime in the month of June, 1949.
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  The economy took a huge hit in 1980-1982. Inflation increased by 90% and over 50% of the countries entire population were living below the poverty line.
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  Costa Rica joins the Central American Free Trade Agreement, although it struggled to be passed.
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  Costa Rica was able to snag a seat for being a non-permanent member of the security council.
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  As the number of Cuban migrants increases in Costa Rica, the country can no longer sustain anymore. Costa Rica decided to reunite ties with Cuba to find a solution to get the Cuban migrants to the U.S.
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  Laura Chinchilla was the first women to be elected president of Costa Rica.