Every November 10th, Argentina celebrates Tradition Day in commemoration of the birth of José Hernández in 1834. A poet, journalist, and writer, Hernández left a lasting mark on Argentine literature through his most famous work, Martín Fierro, which portrays the life, customs, and struggles of the Argentine gaucho during the 19th century.

Published in two parts, El gaucho Martín Fierro (1872) and La vuelta de Martín Fierro (1879), the work recounts the experiences of a man from the countryside who faces the injustices of his time. Through his verses, Hernández captured the hardships, values, and traditions of rural life, giving voice to a figure who became one of the symbols of Argentine cultural identity.

The commemoration was initially established in the province of Buenos Aires in 1939 through Law No. 4756 and later gained national scope with the enactment of Law 21.154 in 1975. Since then, November 10th has served as an opportunity to recognize and preserve the cultural expressions, customs, and knowledge passed down from generation to generation.

The Casa Rosada also features a space dedicated to this iconic work of argentine literature. On the first floor of the building is the Martín Fierro Room, named in honor of the character created by Hernández, which keeps his legacy alive at the seat of the national executive branch.

On the 192nd anniversary of José Hernández’s birth, Tradition Day invites us to appreciate our country’s historical and cultural roots and to recognize those expressions that, over time, have helped shape our national identity.