Day of the Americas

The Day of the Americas is an annual celebration that takes place on April 14 in all the American republics, as a symbol of their sovereignty and their voluntary union in a continental community. Every year, whether by presidential or legislative enactment, this celebration is commemorated in cities, towns and communities.

The first Day of the Americas was celebrated throughout the American continent in 1931. April 14 was chosen as the date in 1890 on which, 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 14 as a national holiday. In these and other nations of the then Pan American Union there were diplomatic receptions, public and civil celebrations, school programs, and a large number of proclamations promoting the principles of Pan Americanism.

One of those statements ensured that in the spirit of Pan-Americanism, the nations of the Americas could

reaffirm the ideals of peace and continental solidarity that all profess, strengthen their natural and historical ties and recall the common interests and aspirations that make the countries of the hemisphere a centre of positive influence in the universal movement for peace, justice and law among nations.

Anthem of the Americas

This hymn is usually sung during the celebrations of this day; its handwriting is 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, since this country was expelled from the OAS between 1962 and 2009.

A song of friendship, of good-neighbourliness,

united will have us forever.

For our freedom, for our loyalty

We must live gloriously.

A symbol of peace, will illuminate living

from all over the American continent.

Force of optimism, force of brotherhood

It will be this song of good-neighbourliness.

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!

Note that in the list of countries the United States of America is mentioned as North America (which is the name of the northern region of the American continent, which includes Canada, the United States, Mexico and Bermuda).

The list of countries in the original version, which includes Cuba (and which is the one used in said country), is as follows:

Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia,

Colombia, Chile and Ecuador,

Uruguay, Venezuela, Honduras,

Guatemala and El Salvador,

Costa Rica, Haiti, Nicaragua,

Cuba and Paraguay,

North America, Mexico and Peru,

Santo Domingo and Panama.

Note the omission of Canada, which is considered to be included within North America. However, Mexico is named, which also belongs to North America.