January-June

January 26 - Birth of Juan Pablo Duarte

Born in Santo Domingo in 1813, Juan Pablo Duarte became the founding father of the country. Son of Manuela Diez (from El Seybo) and Juan José Duarte (Spaniard from Cataluña), he was baptized a few days after his birth in the parish of Santa Barbara. The Museo de Duarte now occupies the house where he was born. In 1838, he founded La Trinitaria, the society that birthed the Independence, which was won February 27, 1844. He died in exile in Venezuela July 17, 1876.

February 25 - Birth of Mella

Ramón Matías Mella, son of Antonio Mella and Francisca Castillo, was born in the city of Santo Domingo. Upon the founding of La Trinitaria, he joined the fight for independence, firing the celebrated trabucazo, the shot that announced the DR's independence, on February 27, 1844. He died in Santiago June 4, 1964.

February 27 - National Independence
Official holiday dedicated to National Independence. A group of patriots led by Francisco del Rosario Sánchez, wielding the principles of Duarte, proclaimed the Independence of the Dominican Republic through an act of insurrection begun in Puerta de la Misericordia. Mella's trabucazo announced to the country and the world the birth of the Nation, separate from the Haitian State.

March 9 - Birth of Sánchez

Son of Narciso Sánchez and Olaya del Rosario, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez, founding father, was born in Santo Domingo on this date. Even at a young age, he took on the libertarian ideas of Duarte and led the independence movement of February 27, 1844. In 1861, he raised arms against annexation by Spain and was shot on July 4, with the words "I am the Dominican flag".

March 19 - San José Festival and the Battle of Azua

On this day, popular religious festivities are held in honor of San José in the communities of Restauración (Dajabón), Río Grande (Puerto Plata), Villa Vásquez (Montecristi), Yamasá (Monte Plata) and el Valle (Sabana de la Mar). In addition, the date of the Battle of Azua is celebrated as the first won against Haiti. In Azua, dancing devils appear throughout the day.

March 30 - Battle of Santiago

Official commemoration of the victory at the Battle of Santiago March 30, 1844. Dominican forces under the command of General Imbert faced Haitians commanded by General Pierrot in Santiago. It was the second battle won against Haiti.