JUNE 20TH - FLAG'S DAY

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.