The museum occupies the house in which Figueres — remembered as Don Pepe — lived on a farm where he developed many of the ideas that he would put into practice.
"It is with enormous honor and pride as a Costa Rican that I partake in this commemoration — one that is unique throughout the world," said President Carlos Alvarado.
"It is with enormous honor and pride as a Costa Rican that I partake in this commemoration — one that is unique throughout the world," said President Carlos Alvarado.
Breaking one of the crenellations of the former fortress with the swing of a hammer as a ceremonial gesture, President José Figueres Ferrer abolished the armed forces in Costa Rica on Dec. 1, 1948.
On Monday, the Legislative Assembly passed a motion to nominate Costa Rica and Japan for a Nobel Peace Prize for their decision to abolish their armies as permanent institutions, according to a lawmaker.
Standing before the marigold crenelated National Museum — once the Bellavista Fortress that served as a barracks for Costa Rican troops — President Luis Guillermo Solís celebrated the 66th anniversary of the abolition of the army alongside veterans of the Civil War and National Army and students on Monday.
