the 1889 costa rican general election was held between 7 october 1889 (first degree) and 1 december 1889 (second degree). it was particularly notorious for been the first time in costa rica's history that political parties took part in an election. the date of november 7 is still commemorated in costa rica as "democracy's day" due to the outcome of the liberal government accepting the results of the conservative opposition, as to that point, authoritarian governments were the norm.