Why is today, August 17, a holiday in Argentina and what is it commemorated?

August 17 marks the exact anniversary of the hero’s death in 1850 (Thomas Khazki)

In Argentina, various holidays are held to commemorate or celebrate important dates for the country. They represent days of rest and reflection. Some can be moved to make a long weekend and promote tourism, while others, however, remain fixed and unchangeable, such as August 17.

In Argentina, August 17 is a national holiday commemorating the Passage into Immortality of General José de San Martín, the greatest hero of the South American independence struggle. This date marks the anniversary of his death in 1850 in the French city of Boulogne-sur-Mer, at the age of 72.

Statues of the liberator of America throughout the city

José de San Martín is revered as the Father of the Nation and the Liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru. His legacy transcends borders and his figure is a symbol of the struggle for emancipation from Spanish domination in the American continent. August 17 is a day of deep reverence and homage to his memory.

On this date, Argentines pay tribute to the military strategist who led the Crossing of the Andes in 1817, one of the most daring feats in history. With his Army of the Andes, San Martín first liberated Chile from the Spanish crown and then extended the revolution to Peru, which consolidated the independence of these neighboring nations.

He was also the creator of the Regiment of Horse Grenadiers in 1812, which was a key military force in the struggle for Argentine independence. This elite unit became the core of the patriotic forces and played a leading role in numerous decisive battles.

In 1814, San Martín was named Governor Intendant of the province of Cuyo, from where he began to organize and train the Army of the Andes.

In 1814, San Martín was named Governor-Intendant of the province of Cuyo, from where he began to organize and train the Army of the Andes. During his administration, he promoted important educational reforms, encouraged agricultural and livestock production, and promoted freedom of religion. These advances laid the foundations for the economic and social development of the region.

San Martín also had an outstanding career as a statesman and diplomat. In 1822, after liberating Peru, he renounced all his military and political duties, demonstrating his detachment from personal power. This gesture reflected his conviction that new countries should build their own democratic institutions without the tutelage of caudillos.

José de San Martín spent his last years in voluntary exile, far from the nations he had helped to liberate. After resigning from all his political and military posts in 1822, he left for Europe in 1824, initially settling in England.

In 1829, he moved to Brussels, Belgium, where he lived in extreme austerity and removed from public life. Despite the difficult economic conditions, he refused any kind of financial help from the American governments, preferring to earn his living with humble manual labor.

The Liberator died on August 17, 1850 in the French city of Boulogne-sur-Mer, at the age of 72. His mortal remains were not repatriated to Argentina until 1880, and were buried with honors of a hero in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Buenos Aires, where they currently rest in a specially erected mausoleum surrounded by Grenadiers.

The mausoleum where the remains of Jose de San Martin reside

The August 17 holiday cannot be moved due to its historical significance and patriotic value. This date marks the exact anniversary of the hero’s death in 1850, so its commemoration must take place on the corresponding day.

For this reason, August 17 remains unchanged on the calendar of national holidays, regardless of whether it falls on a working day or a weekend.

The next national holiday in Argentina will be on Friday, October 11. This day has been declared a holiday for tourism purposes to create a long weekend alongside the holiday on October 12, the Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity.

The aim of this three-day long weekend (Friday 11, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 October) is to encourage domestic tourism and give Argentines the opportunity to enjoy a long break. This allows for short trips, visiting relatives or simply taking a break from work and school obligations.