Juan Manuel Belgrano was born on June 3, 1770 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  He was educated in Spain and returned when invited to be the Secretary for the new Consulado of Buenos Aires.  At this time, Argentina was still part of Spain.  Although he had never been in the military, Belgrano commanded troops in Buenos Aires when England was invading.  He also commanded troops in defense of a Spanish invasion of Upper Peru (modern day Bolivia), using a banner that he had designed himself which later became the national flag.  Belgrano lived until June 20, 1820 which is celebrated every year on this date as Flag Day.   

 

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Updated: 29 February 2008

http://www.me.gov.ar/efeme/3dejunio/index.html