ARGENTINA FESTIVELY CELEBRATES ITS NATIONAL DAY

NATIONAL DAY: MAY 25

National Day is a public holiday in Argentina.

May 25 is Argentina’s National Day, also known as First Government Day. It celebrates the
constitution of the first government that became independent from the colonial Spaniards after the
May Revolution in 1810.

HISTORY OF NATIONAL DAY IN ARGENTINA

European explorers arrived in Argentina as early as 1502, led by Américo Vespucio. Spanish navigator
Juan Díaz de Solís found the River of Silver in 1516, but was killed as he tried to go up river. Later in
1534, the northern part of Argentina was given to Pedro de Mendoza, who in 1536 built the Port of
Santa Maria del Buen Ayre, today the city of Buenos Aires.

Spaniards came to colonize the land, and the Jesuits created as many as 30 missions all over the
territory. Much later in 1810, Spain was invaded by Napoleonic forces. In Buenos Aires the viceroy
tried to remain faithful to Spain, but he was under great pressure as independent forces gathered and
asked for independence for Argentina and surrounding territories. Meetings were held during May
Week in 1810, and it was decided that a revolutionary junta should take control of the country.

Meanwhile, outside in Plaza de Mayo, the people were getting nervous and demanded to know what
was occurring. On that same day, May 25, the first new government was formed, but it was still under
the influence of Spain since many of the members of the junta were Spanish descendents.

It wasn’t until July 9, 1816 that true independence from Spain

was declared, following the example of other nations like Peru,
Uruguay, and Paraguay.

ARGENTINA’S NATIONAL DAY TRADITIONS, CUSTOMS AND ACTIVITIES

May 25 is celebrated all over Argentina, but the main center of celebrations is in Buenos Aires at the
Plaza de Mayo, the huge town square in the heart of the city where in 1810 the revolutionary junta
took power forming the country of Argentina.

Argentinean flags are displayed everywhere, and people dress in the national colors of white and blue.
The sun symbol in the flag commemorates the appearance of the sun through cloudy skies on May 25,
1810 during the first mass demonstration in favor of independence.

Speeches from the President and Government officials are followed by music concerts as most of the
population of Buenos Aires gathers in Plaza de Mayo. In other cities similar events are sponsored by
the government, with dance, music, and art exhibitions as Argentineans celebrate the birth of their
country.
Argentina Independence Day

Argentina Independence Day: July 9

Independence Day is celebrated in Argentina.

Argentina Independence Day, the 9th of July, is a public

holiday in Argentina. In Argentina the day is known as the
Acta de la Declaración de la Independencia Argentina.

Argentina Independence Day History

Argentina was discovered by European explorers in the 16th century. Historians have long debated whether Amerigo
Vespucci, Juan Diaz de Solis, Ferdinand Magellan or Sebastian Cabot landed and laid claim to the land.

Argentina was divided into different areas until 1776. Over the next 50 years, the land that came to make up
Argentina were gradually reunited. On April 15, 1814, a revolution declared that a General Congress be assembled.
Representing 15,000 people from each province, a delegate deputies were chosen to meet on March 24, 1816. With
33 deputies, the General Congress assembled in the city of Tucuman.

Argentina’s independence movement began in earnest on May 25, 1810, which is celebrated as Revolution
Day. That date marked the beginning of a long, protracted military struggle, fought under the leadership of the
revolutionary and military strategist Gen. José de Martin born in 1778 and who died in 1850. He was regarded as the
father of his country.

July 9, 1816 was an important turning point. On this day, the Congress of Tucuman passed a resolution declaring
independence from Spain of the Provincias Unidas de America del Sur which also included Uruguay, Paraguay and
Bolivia. Juan Martin de Pueyrredon was declared supreme director.

Argentina’s spell under martial rule was finally broken in 1983. The previous year General Galtieri had attempted to
divert attention from his governance by invading the Falkland Islands in 1982. The resulting defeat by Britain sealed
Galtieri’s fate and he was succeeded by President Carlos Menem who instituted a series of wide-ranging economic
reforms, selling off state-owned industries, and opening up the economy to foreign investors.

Argentina Independence Day Traditions and Activities

Argentina is not like the USA in celebrating their Independence Day. There are political parades in the capital and the
schools are closed but there are not the fireworks and festivities that many other countries observe.

On both Independence Day and when Revolutionary Day, special services are held at the Cathedral in the series and
dramatic performances take place in the Colon Theater.