History of the Argentinian Flag

The flag of Argentina was designed by military leader Manuel Belgrano in an effort to differentiate between the Argentine armies and the Spanish, who had both used the colors yellow and red. The flag of Argentina was raised for the first time on February 27, 1812, in Rosario, Argentina, during the country's war for independence. This flag featured the light blue and white bands, but the sun was not added until 1818. The national flag of Argentina was officially adopted on July 20, 1816.

National Flag Monument

The National Flag Memorial (Spanish, Monumento Nacional a la Bandera) in Rosario, Argentina, is a monumental complex built near the shore of the Paraná River. It was inaugurated on June 20, 1957, the anniversary of the death of Manuel Belgrano, creator of the Argentine flag, who raised it for the first time n an island on the opposite shore of the river on February 27, 1812.^[1][2]

The complex has a total area of about 10,000 square metres, and was built mostly using stone from the Andes, under the direction of architects Ángel Guido and Alejandro Bustillo, and the sculptors José Fioravanti, Alfredo Bigatti and Eduardo Barnes.

The monument and flag

The propylaeum

The Monumento has three parts: the Tower (Torre) or mast, 70 metres high, which commemorates theRevolution of May 1810 and houses Manuel Belgrano's crypt in its base; the Civic Courtyard (Patio Cívico), which symbolizes the effort of the organization of the state (the Courtyard is used for massive open-air shows), and the Triumphal Propylaeum (Propileo Triunfal), representing the Nation as organized after the 1853 Constitution. Under the Propylaeum there is the Honour Room for the Flags of America (where the flags of all American nations are displayed).

The complex faces Belgrano Avenue, and is delimited by Córdoba St. and Santa Fe St., which slope down towards the river at this point. The Propylaeum can be accessed from the pedestrian passage called Pasaje Juramento ("Oath Passage"), which starts at Buenos Aires St. between the municipal building (Palacio de los Leones) and the Cathedral, in front of Plaza 25 de Mayo (May 25th Square). The passage is flanked by statues by famous sculptress Lola Mora.

The Memorial and the National Flag Park located in front of it are the seat of the main celebrations ofFlag Day on June 20. The 50th anniversary of the inauguration of the complex, in 2007, was marked by a special celebration and by the unveiling of a new lighting system.^[3]

The monument is on the list of works and sites of patrimonial value of the municipality of Rosario, as item 011170000.^[4]