Every June 20, Flag Day is commemorated in honor of its creator, General Manuel Belgrano, who passed away on that same day in 1820. This date is an opportunity to recognize the legacy of one of the key figures in the founding of our nation and to reflect on the values represented by our national flag: freedom, unity, and sovereignty.

The Argentine flag was first raised on February 27, 1812, on the banks of the Paraná River in Rosario, as a symbol of the spirit of emancipation and the desire for autonomy among the peoples of the Río de la Plata. Years later, in 1816, the Congress of Tucumán officially adopted it as the national emblem. Over time, this symbol has become inseparable from the Argentine identity.

June 20 was established as a national holiday by Law No. 12,361 in 1938, and Decree 1584/2010 reaffirmed its observance throughout the country.

In addition to his outstanding military and political achievements, General Manuel Belgrano was an intellectual committed to the country’s development. He championed education, promoted the strengthening of production, and defended justice as pillars of growth and the common good. His creation of the national flag was a symbol of that vision—an emblem intended to strengthen the identity and cohesion of the territory’s inhabitants in their struggle for independence.

Despite his countless contributions, Belgrano spent his final days in poverty. He died on June 20, 1820, at his birthplace in Buenos Aires.

Commemorating Flag Day means keeping the memory of General Manuel Belgrano alive and reaffirming our commitment to continue building a freer, more just, and more united Argentina.