Former Spanish colony, Argentina gained independence on May 25, 1810, but it was officially proclaimed on July 9, 1816, in San Miguel de Tucuman.
The Argentine national anthem, "Freedom" is the modern version, inspired by Marcha Patriotica, written by Alejandro Vicente Lopez y Planes. This piece is dedicated to freedom and the supreme sacrifice to protect it. It was adopted as national anthem in 1900.
The Argentine flag, as the story goes, was designed in 1812 by the future general Manuel Belgrano, as he looked, from Rosario, at the sun in front of the Parana coast.
This flag has two horizontal sky-blue strips bordering a central white one. There is a sun, reminiscent of the Inca Inti god, which embellishes the centre.
Oíd, mortales, el grito sagrado:
¡ Libertad, Libertad, Libertad !.
Oíd el ruido de rotas cadenas,
Ved en trono a la noble igualidad.
Ya su trono dignísimo abrieron
Las Provincias Unidas del Sud.
Y los libres del mundo responden
Al gran pueblo Argentino salud,
Al gran pueblo Argentino salud.
Y los libres del mundo responden
Al gran pueblo Argentino salud.
Sean eternos los laureles
Que supimos conseguir ...
Que supimos conseguir.
¡ Coronados de gloria vivamos
O juremos con gloria morir !
O juremos con gloria morir !
O juremos con gloria morir !
Argentine 
