National Ephemerides commemorates 64th anniversary of Mirabal Sisters and Rufino de la Cruz

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic commemorated the 64th anniversary of the assassination of the Mirabal sisters and Rufino de la Cruz, a tragic event orchestrated by Rafael Trujillo’s dictatorship. Organized by the Permanent Commission for Patriotic Anniversaries alongside various governmental bodies, the ceremony took place on the Luperón Highway in Tamboril, where the victims were murdered and their vehicle pushed off a cliff to mimic an accident. The solemn event began with the raising of the national flag at Tamboril Town Hall, followed by a religious invocation, floral offerings, and remarks highlighting the enduring significance of the Mirabal sisters’ sacrifice for democracy and freedom.

Civil Governor Rosa Santos praised the courage of the sisters, while Juan Pablo Uribe, president of Efemérides Patrias, emphasized their martyrdom’s impact on the nation’s democratic future and its recognition as an international symbol of resistance. Uribe also launched a biography, Life and Heroism of the Dominican Martyr Rufino de la Cruz, by Luis Fausto Disla, calling it an overdue acknowledgment of De la Cruz’s shared heroism. In his speech, Uribe described De la Cruz as embodying honesty, courage, and solidarity, cementing his place in the nation’s patriotic memory.

The event included recognition for local contributions, with businessman Remberto Estrella honored for maintaining the historical monument and former mayor Francisco Álvarez credited for its construction. Artistic performances by students from local schools added vibrancy to the occasion, reinforcing the collective remembrance of this pivotal moment in Dominican history.