April 14 – Day of the Americas
The Day of the Americas is an annual celebration that takes place on April 14th in all American republics, as a symbol of their sovereignty and their voluntary union in a continental community. Each year, whether by presidential or legislative proclamation, this date is commemorated in cities, towns, and communities.
The first Day of the Americas was celebrated throughout the American continent in 1931. The 14th of April was chosen as the date of 1890 when, by resolution of the First International American Conference (held in the District of Columbia, between October 1889 and April 1890), the Union of American Republics and its permanent secretariat, the Commercial Office of the American Republics, were created. These gave rise to the Pan American Union and finally to the current Organization of American States (OAS) in 1948.
Honduras, Guatemala, and Haiti declared April 14th a national holiday. In these and other nations of the then Pan American Union, there were diplomatic receptions, public and civic celebrations, school programs, and a large number of proclamations promoting the principles of Pan-Americanism.
One of those declarations stated that in the spirit of Pan-Americanism, the nations of America could
reaffirm the ideals of peace and continental solidarity that all profess, strengthen their natural and historical ties, and remember the common interests and aspirations that make the countries of the hemisphere a center of positive influence in the universal movement for peace, justice, and law among nations.
Anthem of the Americas
This anthem is often sung during the celebrations of this day; its lyrics are attributed to Rodolfo Sciamarella. It has several versions, the differences are in the verses in which the countries are listed. The most well-known version, cited below, is the one that excludes Cuba, as this country was expelled from the OAS between 1962 and 2009.
A song of friendship, of good neighborliness,
will eternally unite us.
For our freedom, for our loyalty
we must live gloriously.
A symbol of peace, will illuminate the living
of the entire American continent.
Force of optimism, force of brotherhood
will be this song of good neighborliness.
Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia,
Colombia, Chile, and Ecuador,
Uruguay, Paraguay, Venezuela,
Guatemala, and El Salvador,
Costa Rica, Haiti, Nicaragua,
Honduras, and Panama,
North America, Mexico, and Peru,
Santo Domingo and Canada.
They are sovereign brothers of freedom!
They are sovereign brothers of freedom!
