21/06/2026 22:19 - Actualidad
Niños de escuela primaria sosteniendo banderas argentinas en una ceremonia cívica en una plaza con edificios coloniales de fondo, día soleado, emoción patriótica
This Friday and Saturday, as part of the celebrations for Flag Day and the 206th anniversary of the death of Manuel Belgrano, thousands of students across the country participated in the Pledge of Loyalty to the Flag, one of the most significant ceremonies in Argentine school life.
In Mar del Plata, Mayor Agustín Neme led a massive ceremony at the "Islas Malvinas" Sports Complex, highlighting the broad participation of schools and families. "It was a beautiful ceremony. There were many schools, many people, and many families," the mayor stated.
The official also reflected on the importance of respecting national symbols. "Often the flag is disrespected, sometimes in simple, everyday actions, even with verbal and discursive violence among ourselves. We must set an example," Neme said, expressing hope that "we can become better every day."
During the Mar del Plata ceremony, Fernando Álvarez, president of the Center of Malvinas War Veterans, shared words with the students. Neme emphasized the importance of having a Malvinas hero speak to the children on such a special day, conveying "the importance of being good people, of taking care of each other."
In San Francisco (Córdoba province), students from Hipólito Bouchard School participated in an emotional ceremony presided over by Mayor Damián Bernarte. The mayor highlighted Belgrano's legacy as "one of our country's greatest heroes," defending "public education, gender equality, and the rights of indigenous peoples."
In Salta province, the day was especially significant. At Plaza 9 de Julio, in front of the Historic Cabildo, 674 students from 12 educational institutions in the provincial capital made their pledge. The ceremony was attended by authorities from the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Province.
Additionally, in the town of Castañares, 320 students from four schools participated in a ceremony accompanied by the Argentine Army, which offered breakfast with brewed mate and biscuits to students, teachers, and families.
Meanwhile, in San Luis province, different towns celebrated the date with special enthusiasm. In Toro Negro, more than 200 students pledged fidelity to the National Flag, while in the capital, students and soldiers from the Army made commitments of love and loyalty.
In Salta, 260 soldiers from the Argentine Army also took their oath at the Historic Campo de la Cruz. The ceremony, led by Major Colonel Hernán Aoki, represented one of the most important moments in the training of these uniformed personnel, who publicly expressed their commitment to defend the Homeland, its institutions, and the National Constitution.
The Pledge of Loyalty to the Flag is an Argentine school tradition held before Flag Day (June 20th). During this ceremony, fourth-grade students promise to defend, respect, and love the national flag, committing to the values it represents. For foreign readers, this is similar to the Pledge of Allegiance in the United States but is performed only once during a student's elementary education.
The ceremony commemorates the death of Manuel Belgrano on June 20, 1820, at age 50, in Buenos Aires. Belgrano was a lawyer, economist, journalist, politician, and military leader who created the National Flag on February 27, 1812 in Rosario, during Argentina's struggle for independence from Spain. The light blue and white colors represent the sky and the silver clouds, symbolizing Argentina's natural beauty and wealth.
Law 12,361 of 1938 established June 20th as Flag Day, honoring the creator of the national symbol. This holiday connects all Argentines regardless of their province, political views, or background, as the flag represents unity above all differences.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
