Remembering the 195th Anniversary of the Birth of Francisco del Rosario Sánchez

Remembering the 195^th Anniversary of the Birth of Francisco del Rosario Sánchez
San Juan de la Maguana., Dominican Republic 3/10/2012

The Permanent Commission of Patriotic Holidays, the Armed Forces and hundreds of students joined together in paying homage to Francisco del Rosario Sánchez, the Father of the Nation, on the 195th anniversary of his birth in San Juan de la Maguana.

Sánchez was the first Dominican to hoist the National Flag on February 27, 1844. In addition to being the founder and a hero of the Republic, he was also among the first to give his life for the Restoration.

Francisco del Rosario Sánchez, along with Juan Pablo Duarte and Matías Ramón Mella, founded the Secret La Trinitaria Society. When Duarte was exiled from the Dominican Republic, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez took over the leadership of the Independence Movement and on January 16, 1844, he wrote the Manifesto for the Republic.

Representatives of the Armed Forces and Juan Daniel Balcácer, president of the Commission of Patriotic Holidays, led the event and placed various wreaths honoring the presence of hundreds of students to whom they highlighted the valor and dedication in the actions of Francisco del Rosario Sánchez.

Sánchez was the first Dominican to hoist the National Flag on February 27, 1844. In addition to being the founder and a hero of the Republic, he was also among the first to give his life for the Restoration.

He was shot in the cemetery of his native town on July 4, 1861. He is buried with his comrades, Juan Pablo Duarte and Matías Ramón Mella.

Historian Juan Daniel Balcácer urged the students at the event and the rest of the population to respect these patriotic symbols and the Fathers of the Nation such as Duarte Sánchez and Ramón Mella who “gave everything for the Dominican Republic.”.