This Sunday Santiago will host a variety of activities being held to commemorate the 164th anniversary of the Battle of March 30th, a patriotic battle for independence. President of the Republic, Leonel Fernández will preside of over the day’s activities.

The activities will begin at 8:00 in the morning with the raising of the National Flag and military honors, a 21-gun salute, the singing of the National Anthem and the laying of floral wreathes dedicated the memory of the Battle of Santiago. These events will take place in Imbert Park. In addition, there will be a student march from the park to the Cathedral of Santiago the Apostle, according to a government press release. The program will include a 9:00 a.m. Mass to be celebrated by Monsignor Benito de la Rosa y Carpio, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Santiago

This information was disseminated by historian Juan Daniel Balcácer, president of the Permanent Commission of the Efemérides Patrias, in a press conference in the Orlando Martínez Hall of the National Palace.

The day’s activities are being overseen by the Permanent Commission of the Efemérides Patrias, the President of the Republic’s Office and the Provincial Government of Santiago.

Beginning at 4:00 p.m., President Fernández will observe the civilian-military parade that will be held along the 27th of February Avenue.

The commemorative activities will end at 9:00 p.m. with a popular concert in the area around the monument. The concert is free and open to the public.

Juan Daniel Balcácer said that throughout the week, the Permanent Commission of the Efemérides Patrias, the President of the Republic and the Provincial Government of Santiago have held other activities to commemorate this patriotic date.

The March 30, 1844 battle was waged under the leadership of the distinguished General José María Imbert along with the national hero Ramón Matías Mella and Coronel Juana Saltitopa. March 30th was the first successful independence battle waged in the northern region and the second Dominican military victory over the invading troops from Haiti. The battle elevated the faith and spirit of the Dominican people to push harder for their national independence that was claimed on February 27 of the same year.