Later I went to the hippodrome in San Isidro, a suburb of Buenos Aires, and watched horse races and a concert given by a military band.
Some of the traditional events that typically occur are a military parade and celebrations around the Plaza de Mayo and El Cabildo in downtown Buenos Aires. El Cabildo is the building featured in the Francisco Fortuny painting of the original revolution in 1810. It was the government building during the colonial period in Argentina, and today it is a museum you can visit to learn more about. Another event that typically occurs is a traditional Latin Te Deum mass is given in the Metropolitan Cathedral, right next to El Cabildo. This is a special mass that is used to give thanks on special occasions. In many Latin American countries, it is used on national holidays.
If people don't participate in the big national celebration, there are still other ways to celebrate. Families and friends may have an asado. People wear blue and white ribbons, the colors of the flag of Argentina. There are also small fairs throughout the country, where people may gather for small parades or sing the national anthem. At these fairs, you can typically buy popular desserts, such as churros, filled with dulce de leche, and pastelitos, a fried pastry filled with quince jam. Many people also eat locro, a traditional stew in the Andes mountains. It usually contains corn, potato, pumpkin or squash, chorizo, meat and beans.
