Spanish
The first Americas Day was celebrated throughout the American continent in 1931. April 14 was chosen because it was the date in 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 way to the Pan American Union and finally to the current Organization of American States (OAS) in 1948.
Honduras, Guatemala, and Haiti declared April 14th as a national holiday. In these and other nations of the then Pan-American Union, there were diplomatic receptions, public and civil celebrations, programs in schools, and a large number of proclamations promoting the principles of Pan-Americanism.
Anthem of the Americas
This hymn is usually 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 best-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, united will keep us eternally. For our freedom, for our loyalty we must live gloriously.
A symbol of peace, will illuminate the living of the entire American continent. Strength of optimism, strength 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!
