On 4 April 2018, a military parade and other ceremonies were held in the city of Santiago to celebrate another anniversary of the famous battle of 30 March 1844, which ended the threat of a Haitian invasion from the north. The ceremonies were held on Wednesday, 4 April, because 30 March fell this year within the Religious Celebrations of the Easter Week.
The Metropolitan Archbishop, Freddy DeJesus Breton Martinez together with the provincial Governor and the historian Juan Daniel Balcacer stressed the contributions of the heroes of the battle of 30 March and to Dominican independence which had been proclaimed on 27 February 1844.
Speaking at the Cathedral where a Mass was held in celebration, the Archbishop, in his sermon called upon the youth of the country to imitate the example set forth by the founder of the Dominican Republic Juan Pablo Duarte. He also noted that Duarte sacrificed everything in order to achieve Dominican independence.
Historian Daniel Balcacer and talking about the importance of the Battle of 30 March, indicated that if it had not been for the courage of the brave men and women of Santiago, Haitian troops may have reached Santo Domingo, thus putting an end to the bid for national independence. Governor Aura Toribio noted that this 174th anniversary of the battle should serve as an inspiration for current generations to always be willing to defend their nation and to particularly defend the principles of Duarte, Sanchez, Mella and the other founders of the Dominican Republic.
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Diario Libre
5 April 2018
