Anniversary of the Death of General Martín Miguel de Güemes in Argentina Date in the current year: June 17, 2024

Güemes was born in 1785 into a wealthy family. He got a good education and started his military career at the age of 23. Following the May Revolution of 1810, he joined the army that fought the Spanish troops at the Upper Peru. After the Battle of Suipacha, he returned to Buenos Aires and then participated in the siege of Montevideo.

In 1815, Güemes returned to his hometown of Salta and recruited local gauchos to take part in the resistance against the loyalists. His guerrilla campaign turned out successful, and Güemes was appointed Governor of Salta Province.

Five years later, Argentine was torn by a civil war. The governor of Tucumán struck an alliance with rich landowners from Salta and deposed Güemes. He retook power a month later but was deposed again by the Royalist Army. Güemes fled the city, but was shot in the back and died in his camp at Chamical on June 17, 1820. His men retook Salta permanently on July 22.

Güemes’s death anniversary is a public holiday in Argentina. It is celebrated to honor the general’s contribution to the independence struggle.