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Flag Day in Venezuela
August 3
Flag Day in Venezuela, celebrated on August 3rd, marks the first hoisting of the national flag on Venezuelan soil at La Vela de Coro in 1806. This day honours the efforts of Francisco de Miranda, a key figure in Venezuela’s independence movement, and the symbolism of the flag which represents the nation’s history and values.
History and Significance: Originally, Flag Day was observed on March 12 to commemorate the first time the flag was raised on the Corvette Leander in Jacmel, Haiti. This initial celebration date acknowledged Miranda’s pivotal role in the country’s fight for independence. In 2006, the celebration date was moved to August 3rd to align with the historical event of raising the flag within Venezuela itself.
Design and Symbolism: The Venezuelan flag features three horizontal stripes of yellow, blue, and red. The meanings of these colours are:
- Yellow: Represents the country’s wealth, the riches of its soil, and the traits of harmony and justice.
- Blue: Symbolizes the Caribbean Sea that borders Venezuela.
- Red: This signifies the blood shed by those who fought for independence from Spain.
An arc of eight white stars in the blue stripe represents the provinces that initially supported the revolution. The official state flag also includes the country’s coat of arms in the upper left corner.
Historical Evolution: The flag’s design was created by Francisco de Miranda and was first flown during his expedition to liberate Venezuela. The original flag featured horizontal bands of yellow, blue, and red. Over the years, the flag has seen modifications in the arrangement and number of stars, reflecting the country’s political changes. The most recent change was in 2006, when an eighth star was added to honour the province of Guayana, as per Simón Bolívar’s decree in 1817 (World Population Review) (FlagDB) (Haiti Updates).
Cultural Practices: On Flag Day, public institutions in Venezuela fly the national flag from 7 AM until 6 PM. The flag has its national anthem, known as “Himno de la Bandera,” and there is a student oath written for the flag that students recite on this day.