Santo Domingo.- Today Thursday January 26 marks the 199th anniversary of the birth of the country’s Founding Father, Juan Pablo Duarte, who conceived and impelled the cause of Dominican Republic, with his preachings on freedom and created two organizations which served as the ideological and conspirative platforms of independence.
Duarte’s secret society La Trinitaria, with the also leaders Ramon Matias Mella and Francisco del Rosario Sanchez, led the ouster of the Haitian occupation in February 27, 1844.
Starting 8am the ceremonies to honor the patriarch include a parade and hoisting of the flag in San Francisco de Macorís, Duarte province. There at 10:30am, president Leonel Fernandez will preside over the day’s central activities.
Today also marks the start of the Month of the Nation, to commemorate several patriotic holidays including Mella’s birth on February 25, Day of teh Flag on the 19th and Independence Day, on February 27.