Argentina's flag was created by Manuel Belgrano and hoisted for the first time
February 27, 1812, in Rosario, province of Santa Fe, where today lies the huge
monument to the flag. In the midst of the struggle for Independence of the
United Provinces of Río de la Plata Belgrano decided to take the colors of blue
and white cockade, which was already in use since the revolution patriotic May
1810. The origin of the choice of these colors is not alone and it is still a
subject of controversy, but the most secure version that is white and blue
identified Bourbons dynastic house of French origin, in favor of the principles
of constitutional monarchy, with which also coincided Belgrano.
The first
time the flag was raised in Buenos Aires was the August 23, 1812, in the church
tower of St. Nicholas of Bari, current place of the Obelisk. The Constituent
Assembly of 1813 promoted their use in secret, but no written rules in this
regard. The Government did not wish to stress that point with symbols of
independence.
Following the declaration of independence on July 9, 1816,
the sky blue and white flag was a symbol adopted by Congress on July 20, 1816.
Congress added the sun on February 25 1818.
On June 8, 1938, with the
approval of Congress, the President of the Nation, Robert M. Ortiz, promulgated
the Law 12361, which states the June 20 as Flag Day and national holiday in
honor of Manuel Belgrano, who died on June 20, 1820.
Manuel
Belgrano
He was an intellectual, military, lawyer, journalist and
political distinction. Participated in the struggles for independence and was an
unwavering advocate of free education, the monarchical system and an advance in
the promotion of women's rights and indigenous peoples, to the point of having
proposed the creation of an Inca monarchy to protect the Americans.
Born
in Buenos Aires on June 3 1770, studied at the Colegio de San Carlos and then at
the universities of Salamanca and Valladolid in Spain. In 1793, there was a
lawyer and in 1794, in Buenos Aires, was appointed first secretary of the
Consulate, with 23 years. From here, encouraged education through skills
training. In addition, he founded schools of drawing, mathematics and
seamanship. During the British invasions of 1806, joined the militia to defend
the city folk. Since then, he shared his passion for politics and the economy
with a military career that led him to participate in liberating struggles
throughout Latin America. In the May Revolution, Belgrano played a leading role
and was appointed Member of the Revolutionary and sent an expedition to
Paraguay. In its established course, the February 27, 1812, the national
flag.
Between 1812 and 1813, in the north, he led the heroic exodus of the
people jujeño and achieved major victories in September 1812-Tucumán - Salta
y-February 1813 -. Participate actively in 1816 in the Congress of Tucuman,
which declared the independence of Argentina.
