Memorial Day of General San Martin in Argentina (15/08)

Every year on the third Monday of August, Argentina celebrates the national holiday — anniversary of the memory of the hero of the struggle for Argentine independence from the Spanish colonialists (1810—1826), General San Martín Day.

National hero of Argentina, Chile and Peru, general, army commander Francisco de San Martín y Matorras was born on February 25, 1778 in the small town of Argentina, Yapeyu.

The family soon moved to Spain, where at the age of 7 the boy was enrolled in a prestigious seminary in Madrid. However, in 1789, San Martin abandoned his studies at the seminary and went to serve in the Spanish Royal Army, despite his parents' dissatisfaction. Shortly after his recruitment, he goes on a military campaign in Africa.

Subsequently, he actively participates in wars with France, England, and Portugal. During the occupation of Spain by Napoleon's troops, José de Sa Martin commanded one of the partisan detachments in the south of the country and showed excellent qualities as a military leader and personal courage.

In 1820, San Martin and a detachment of rebels arrived in Peru and, entering the capital Lima, declared the independence of Peru on July 28, 1821, and himself headed the first government of Peru.



José de San Martin died on August 17, 1850 in Boulogne (France), his remains were transported to Buenos Aires in 1880, and the anniversary of his death was declared a national holiday in Argentina, which is celebrated on the third Monday of August.

Argentines revere General San Martin not only as a national hero-liberator, but also almost equate him with the face of saints. The general was buried in the main cathedral of Buenos Aires. Grenadiers stand at the post near the tomb.

In the Plaza San Martin in Buenos Aires stands the monument to the national hero of Argentina, General José de San Martin, who shared with Simon Bolivar the honor of being called the liberator of South America from Spanish rule.

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