The Flag of Argentina
The sky blue and white flag of Argentina can be seen proudly flying all across Argentina. In Buenos Aires there are giant flags erected in the grand squares, and as they blow gently in the wind, their brilliant colors seem to have been chosen to complement the brilliant blue colored sky of Argentina.
The blue and white flag was first officially used in 1812 with its Yellow ‘Sun of May’ added in 1818.
General Manuel Belgrano, one of Argentina’s most famous heroes, is credited for its design when he first used the flag during Argentina’s ‘war of independence’.
Belgrano was the commander of the newly formed revolutionary army who marched out to face the Spanish loyalist forces in the town of Rosario in February 1812, two years after the Mayday revolution. General Belgrano whilst preparing to face the enemy suddenly realized that the loyalists were using the red and yellow colors of Spain the very same colors as his own army. To prevent chaos on the battlefield Belgrano changed his forces’ flag, choosing the distinctive sky blue and white - still used for the flag of Argentina today.
The mysteries behind the flag's colors
Why he chose these colors is still a mystery, although many theories exist. One belief is that these were the colors used by the ‘Criolles’ responsible for the revolution on May 25th 1810, however this has since been dismissed by the historian Felipe Pigna who has shown evidence that the ‘Criolles’ used a piece of red cloth.Could Belgrano have taken the colors from the coat of arms of the House of Bourbon, the royal house of Spain? This popular idea seems unlikely as he was fighting for independence against the Spanish, but it is a possibility as their colors were the same exact blue and white. 
The most romantic story that is most favored by Argentineans is that he chose it in remembrance of the revolution on May 25th 1810 in Buenos Aires when supposedly the brilliant blue sky parted to display a band of white clouds. The Argentine 'wars of independence' lasted from 1810 to 1818 but it was on 16th July 1816
that Argentina declared independence from Spain. General Belgrano was instrumental in the creation of Argentina, and is well remembered for this and his role in the design of the national flag.
Since the June 20th 1938 (one hundred years after Belgrano’s death) Argentina has celebrated their flag and the life of Belgrano with a national holiday – ‘flag day’, where the flag of Argentina can be seen flying proudly all across Argentina.
Return from the Flag of Argentina to the section Facts about Argentina
|
