The Day of the Black Person and Afro-Costa Rican Culture is observed in Costa Rica on August 31, with festivities typically held on the following Sunday. This public holiday celebrates the contributions and culture of Afro-Costa Ricans, who primarily descend from Afro-Caribbean migrant workers that arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as from African slaves brought during the Spanish colonization. The date commemorates the First International Conference of the Negro Peoples held in New York City in August 1920, organized by Marcus Garvey. Celebrations are particularly prominent in Limón Province, the heart of the Afro-Costa Rican community, featuring the annual Festival of Black Culture that showcases local traditions, music, dance, clothing, and cuisine. The holiday was established by the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica in 2021 and was first celebrated in 2022, following decades of observance as Black People’s Day since the 1980s. It is a non-mandatory payment holiday, meaning employees are not entitled to pay if given the day off.