Birth of Artigas in Uruguay

June 19 commemorates the birth of the hero José Gervasio Artigas. Also, on this date the Promise and Oath of Allegiance to the National Flag is celebrated by the children of the first year of Primary School and the students of the first year of Secondary Education, respectively. The ceremony takes place in public and private schools.

José Gervasio Artigas was born in Montevideo on June 19, 1764. His parents were don Martín José Artigas and doña Francisca Antonia Arnal. His paternal grandfather, Juan Antonio, was among the first settlers of Montevideo. The little José was the third son of the six that his parents had.

The influence of Artigas on several provinces, which would later form Argentina, caused that during the years 1814 and 1815 Santa Fe, Entre Rios, Corrientes, Misiones and Cordoba were placed under his leadership, and together with the Eastern Province formed the "Federal League" to which Buenos Aires declared war.

The Portuguese occupation of the Eastern Province started in 1816, the continuous fight against the centralism of Buenos Aires and the distancing of the caudillos from the Argentine coast caused Artigas to be forced to take refuge in Paraguay in 1820. He died near Asunción on September 23, 1850.