National Anthem And Flag Day in Aruba
Observed as a public holiday in Aruba, National Flag and Anthem Day is a day observed on March 18th annually. It is an official national day for the country and commemorates its autonomy within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Aruba is an island only 29 kilometers from South America and is located in the southern Caribbean Sea. It has been a country colonized since the 16th century by the Spanish but fell into the hands of the Netherlands in 1636. In 1948, a formal proposal for Aruba’s status as an autonomous state within the Kingdom of the Netherlands was made.
The History of National Flag and Anthem Day in Aruba
During the 17th century, the Spanish were the first to colonize Aruba, but control of the island was taken from their hands by the Netherlands in 1636. It has been a Dutch colony ever since, even though there were periods when the British gained control of the island during the Napoleonic Wars.
On March 18, 1948, the first formal proposal to make Aruba an independent state under the Kingdom of the Netherlands was presented by Aruban politician Shon A. Eman. During the 1970s, a committee was appointed to choose an anthem and national flag for the country. These were adopted on March 18, 1976. This is also when National Flag and Anthem Day was established.
Observing National Flag and Anthem Day in Aruba
This holiday is celebrated by raising the flag of Aruba on government buildings, businesses, and private homes across the island nation. People also celebrate the holiday by attending concerts, cultural events, and sporting events. Since it is a public holiday, it is a day off for the general population, and government buildings, schools, and many businesses are closed for the day.
This holiday is also a good time for people to meet up with friends and family members. When people come together, they often make one of the traditional dishes that are famous in the country. Dishes include Stobá, Sòpi, Pastechi, and sometimes even lobster.