San Mart'n Day

San Mart’n Day

Monday after August 17

This national holiday in Argentina honors JosÉ Francisco de San Martín, who died on this day in 1850.
Spain had ruled what is now Argentina, as well as nearly all the rest of South and Central America, since the 16th century. Born in 1778 in a town called Yapeyú, San Martín, formerly a soldier in the Spanish army in Europe, came home in 1812 to fight in the revolution against Spain. He led forces across the Andes—an unprecedented accomplishment—to defeat the Spanish in Chile and Peru. The victories he led assured independence from Spain for much of the region.
After passing the torch to Simon Bolívar, another famous South American revolutionary leader ( see also Bolivia Independence Day), San Martín resigned in 1822. He left Argentina in 1824, and lived out his life in exile in France.

CONTACTS:
Embassy of Argentina
1600 New Hampshire Ave. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
202-238-6401; fax: 202-332-3171
www.embassyofargentina.us

SOURCES:
AnnivHol-2000, p. 137