Every June 20th we commemorate the Day of the Flag in honor of its creator, General Manuel Belgrano, who died on the same day in 1820. This date invites us to reflect on the values of freedom, unity and sovereignty that our national flag represents and on the legacy of one of the fundamental protagonists of our independence.

The blue and white flag was hoisted for the first time on February 27th, 1812 on the banks of the Paraná River, in Rosario, as a sign of autonomy during the struggles for emancipation. That bold gesture by Belgrano symbolized the yearning for freedom of the peoples of the Río de la Plata.

The Congress of Tucumán made the flag official as the national emblem on July 20th, 1816, days after the declaration of independence. With time, this symbol became inseparable from the Argentine identity. The date of June 20 was instituted by Law No. 12.361 in 1938, and Decree 1584/2010 reaffirmed its irremovable commemoration throughout the country.

Belgrano, besides being a military man and politician, was an intellectual trained in the ideals of the Enlightenment. From his beginnings as a Consulate lawyer, he promoted education, industry and justice as pillars of development. His commitment to the common good led him to take up arms, lead armies and promote national unity.

Today, throughout Argentina, thousands of students pledge allegiance to the flag in school ceremonies that transcend the ceremonial. These are moments in which the founding values of the homeland are transmitted: freedom, patriotism and the sense of belonging.

Flag Day is an opportunity to reflect on history and project the future. It is a call to keep alive the memory of Belgrano and his legacy, and to continue building a freer and fairer Argentina.