Tag Archives: official

National Songs and Pledge Of Dominican Republic

The National and Patriotic Songs and Pledges of the Dominican Republic.

These patriotic songs and pledges are a very important part of the Dominica culture. Patriotism is embedded in the heart of the people and they are very proud of their national heritage.

Quisqueyanos Valientes/ Valiant Men of Quisqueya | Himno a la Bandera/ Song to the Flag | Pledge to the Flag

The National Anthem of Dominican Republic/ El Himno Nacional de la República Dominicana

The song Quisqueyanos Valientes was written in 1883 with the collaborate efforts of poet Emilio Prud’Homme with music by José Reyes. Congress first passed a law that declared this song to be the national anthem in 1897. Gen. Ulysses Heureaux (Lilis), who was in charge of the country at this time, did not enact the law. It lay dormant for thirty-seven years. Finally, on May 30, 1934, Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, The President of the Dominican Republic, wrote the law that officially declared the unofficial Dominican Republic National anthem official. He made the Song of the Fatherland/ Canto a la Patria, Quisquueyanos Valientes official on May 30, 1934.

If you happen to hear this song played always stand to show respect while it is being played.

The Military Bad playing Quisqueyanos Valientes i Parque Duarte.
The Military Bad playing Quisqueyanos Valientes i Parque Duarte.

Quisqueyanos Valientes

Quisqueyanos valientes, alcemos
Nuestro canto con viva emoción,
Y del mundo a la faz ostentemos
Nuestro invicto, glorioso pendón.

¡Salve! el pueblo que, intrépido y fuerte.
A la guerra a morir se lanzó,
Cuando en bélico reto de muerte
sus cadenas de esclavo rompió.

Ningún pueblo ser libre merece
Si es esclavo, indolente y servil;
Si en su pecho la llama no crece
que templó el heroísmo viril.

Mas Quisqueya la indómita y brava
Siempre altiva la frente alzará;
Que si fuere vil veces esclava
Otras tantas ser libre sabrá.

Que si dolo y ardid la expusieron
de un intruso señor al desdén,
a Las Carreras ¡a Beler!..
campos fueron que cubiertos de gloria se ven.

Que en la cima de heroíco baluarte,
de los libres el verbo encarnó,
donde el genio de Sánchez y Duarte
a ser libre o morir enseñó.

Y si pudo inconsulto caudillo
de esas glorias el brillo empañar,
de la guerra se vió en Capotillo
La bandera de fuego ondear.

Y el incendio que atónito deja
de Castilla al soberbio león,
de las playas gloriosas le aleja
donde flota el cruzado pendón.

Compatriotas, mostremos erguida nuestra frente,
orgullosos de hoy más;
que Quisqueya será destruida
pero sierva de nuevo, jamás.

Que es santuario de amor cada pecho
do la patria se siente vivir;
Y es su escudo invencible, el derecho;
Y es su lema: ser libre o morir.

Libertad que aún se yergue serena
La victoria en su carro triunfal.
Y el clarín de la guerra aún resuena
Pregonando su gloria inmortal.

¡Libertad! Que los ecos se agiten
Mientras llenos de noble ansiedad
Nuestros campos de gloria repiten
¡Libertad! ¡Libertad! ¡Libertad!

English Translation – My rough translation of the first verse.

(Valiant Men of Quisqueya (Dominican Republic)
Let us sing with strong feeling
And let us show to the world our invincible,
glorious banner.
Hail, O people who, strong and intrepid,
launched into war and went to death!
Under a warlike menace of death,
You broke your chains of slavery.
No country deserves to be free
If it is an indolent and servile slave,
If the call does not grow loud within it.
Tempered by a virile heroism.
But the brave and indomitable Quisqueya
Will always hold its head high,
For if it were a thousand times enslaved,
It would a thousand times regain freedom.

Fuerza Aérea en Zona Colonial – Himno Nacional Republica Dominicana.

To learn about the history of the Dominican Flag/ La Bandera and National Symbols.

The Bandera Dominicana / Dominican Flag flying high at the Faro a Colón with the view of the city of Santo Domingo in the distance.
The Bandera Dominicana / Dominican Flag flying high at the Faro a Colón with the view of the city of Santo Domingo in the distance.

HIMNO A LA BANDERA

Ya empezó su trabajo la escuela
Y es preciso elevarte a lo azul,
Relicaria de viejos amores,
Mientras reine la mágica luz.
¿No sentimos arder a tu influjo
la luz viva de un fuego interior
cuando flotas alegre, besada
por los cálidos rayos de Sol?
¡Dios! Parece decir, ¡OH Bandera!
La sublime expresión de tu azul;
¡Patria!, el rojo de vivida llama;
¡Libertad!, dice el blanco en la cruz.
Mientras haya una escuela que cante
Tu grandeza, Bandera de amor,
Flotarás con el alma de Duarte,
Vivirás con el alma de Dios.
( Letras: Ramón E. Jiméne)

The Dominican Republic Flag on the Casa del Sacramento.
The Dominican Republic Flag on the Casa del Sacramento.

Pledge to the Flag/ Juramento a la Bandera

¡Qué linda en el tope estás
dominicana bandera!
Quién te viera, quién te viera,
más arriba, mucho más
(by Gastón Fernando Deligne, Poeta dominicano)

The history of the Dominican Republic Flag

The flag of Dominican Republic waving over Plaza España.
The flag of Dominican Republic waving over Plaza España.

Holiday Calendar 2017

Holiday Calendar 2017

Holidays – The Minister of Work announced the calendar for the celebration of the holidays for the year 2016 according to the law 139-97 / Días Festivos – El Ministerio de Trabajo anuncia el calendario para la celebración de los días feriados para el año 2017, establecidos en la Ley 139-97. www.ministeriodetrabajo.gob.do

Beaches are full during weekends and holidays. Playa Dominicus, La Romana.

January/ Enero
1 – Sunday – New Year’s Day
9 – Monday celebrating (The 6th is the OFFICIAL date) Día de los Santo Reyes Magos – Epifania / Three Kings Day – Epiphany (what is 3 Kings Day?)
12 – Thursday – Día de la Resistencia Heroica/ Day of Heroic Resistance (this is the first year for this day to honor the men and women who fought for a fairer society)
15 – to End of March – Whale Watching (the best place to observe is the Samana Bay)
21 – Saturday – Our Lady of Altagracia Day. (more information on Altagracia and a photo slide show of the Basilica de Higuey)
28 – Saturday – Chinese New Year (celebrations for the Year of the Rooster in China Town)
30 – Monday – Duarte Day celebrated. Juan Pablo Duarte was born on the 26th.(more information on Duarte).

February/ Febrero
1 thru 28 Las Fiestas de Carnaval Dominicano / Dominican Carnival Parties Carnival Dominicano/ Dominican Carnival celebrations happen all month. The weekends are when different communities hold their parades and celebrations. Usually the ultimate parade on the Malecon in Santo Domingo with the best of the best is held the first Sunday in March.
14 – Tuesday – Día de San Valentín / Valentine´s Day
27 – Saturday – Día de la Independencia / Independence Day – Día de la Bandera / Flag Day. Dominicans celebrate February 27, 1844 as their Independence Day. This the day the country declared its independence again and retook the name República Dominicana (Dominican Republic). A constitution modeled on that of the United States was put forth in November 1844.

March/ Marzo
1 – Miércoles de Ceniza / Ash Wednesday – The first day of Lent
5 – Sunday/ Domingo The big Carnival Parade on the Malecon in Santo Domingo.

April/ Abril
9 – Domingo de Ramos / Palm Sunday
14 – Viernes Santo / Good Friday (long weekend from Thursday the 24th to Sunday the
16th – one of the biggest vacation times here. How do Dominicans celebrate Easter/ Semana Santa? Read all about it.
16 – Sunday – Domingo de Pascua – Semana Santa / Easter

May/ Mayo
1 – Monday – Día del Trabajo / Labor Day (official day May 1st) (long weekend from Friday April 28th to Monday the 1st)
28 – Sunday – Mother’s Day. (Always falls on the last Sunday in May)

The dates of all the Patronales/ Patron Saints celebrations are on the Patron Saint Celebrations Page.

June/ Junio
15 – Thursday – Corpus Christi Day

July/ Julio
30 – Sunday – Father’s Day (Always falls on the last Sunday in July)

August/ Agusto
16 – Thursday – Restoration Day/ Día de Restauración (more information on Restoration Day)

September/ Septiembre
24 – Sunday – Día de las Mercedes / Our Lady of Mercedes Day.(more information on Las Mercedes)

October / Octobre
9 – Monday – Día de Colón / Columbus Day

November/ Noviembre
6 – Monday – Día de la Constitución / Constitution Day

December/ Decembre
25 – Monday – Día de Navidad / Christmas Day (How Dominicans celebrate Navidad/Christmas)
31 – Sunday – New Years Eve (New Year traditions)

The dates of all the Patronales/ Patron Saints celebrations are on the Patron Saint Celebrations Page.

Be aware that on the long weekends the cities usually empty out as most people head to the beaches or the country. Hotels are usually booked to capacity with Dominicans enjoying the long weekends. The highways in and out of the city can be very congested with people coming and going.

How To Say Months and Days In Spanish


JANUARY / ENERO | FEBRUARY / FEBRERO | MARCH / MARZO | APRIL / ABRIL | MAY / MAYO | JUNE / JUNIO | JULY / JULIO | AUGUST / AGOSTO | SEPTEMBER / SEPTIEMBRE | OCTOBER / OCTUBRE | NOVEMBER / NOVIEMBRE | DECEMBER / DICIEMBRE

Monday / Lunes | Tuesday / Martes | Wednesday / Miércoles | Thursday / Jueves | Friday / Viernes | Saturday / Sábado | Sunday / Domingo

Holiday Calendar 2015

Holiday Calendar 2015

Holidays – The Minister of Work announced the calendar for the celebration of the holidays for the year 2016 according to the law 139-97 / Días Festivos – El Ministerio de Trabajo anuncia el calendario para la celebración de los días feriados para el año 2015, establecidos en la Ley 139-97. www.ministeriodetrabajo.gob.do

January/ Enero
1 – Friday – New Year’s Day
5 – Monday celebrating (The 6th is the OFFICIAL date) Día de los Santo Reyes Magos – Epifania / Three Kings Day – Epiphany (what is 3 Kings Day?)
12 – Día de la Resistencia Heroica/ Day of Heroic Resistance (this is the first year for this day to honor the men and women who fought for a fairer society)
15 – to End of March – Whale Watching (the best place to observe is the Samana Bay)
21 – Wednesday – Our Lady of Altagracia Day. (more information on Altagracia and a photo slide show of the Basilica de Higuey)
26 – Monday – Duarte Day.

February/ Febrero
1 thru 29 Las Fiestas de Carnaval Dominicano / Dominican Carnival Parties Carnival Dominicano/ Dominican Carnival celebrations happen all month. The weekends are when different communities hold their parades and celebrations.
19 – Thursday – Chinese New Year (celebrations for the Year of the Goat in China Town)
18 – Miércoles de Ceniza / Ash Wednesday
27 – Friday – Día de la Independencia / Independence Day – Día de la Bandera / Flag Day. Dominicans celebrate February 27, 1844 as their Independence Day This the day the country declared its independence again and retook the name República Dominicana (Dominican Republic). A constitution modeled on that of the United States was put forth in November 1844.

March/ Marzo
1 Sunday/ Domingo The big Carnival Parade on the Malecon in Santo Domingo.
29 Domingo de Ramos / Palm Sunday

April/ Abril
3 -Viernes Santo / Good Friday (long weekend from Thursday the 2nd to Sunday the 5th – one of the biggest vacation times here)
5 – Sunday – Domingo de Pascua – Semana Santa / Easter
? – Secretaries Day

May/ Mayo
4 – Monday – Día del Trabajo / Labor Day (official day May 1st) (long weekend from Friday the 1st to Monday the 4th)
31 – Sunday – Mother’s Day. (Always falls on the last Sunday in May)

Find the dates of all the Patronales/ Patron Saints celebrations in Dominican Republic

June/ Junio
4 – Thursday – Corpus Christi Day

July/ Julio
26 – Sunday – Father’s Day (Always falls on the last Sunday in July)

August/ Agusto
16 – Sunday – Restoration Day/ Día de Restauración (more information on Restoration Day)

September/ Septiembre
24 – Thursday – Día de las Mercedes / Our Lady of Mercedes Day.(more information on Las Mercedes)

November/ Noviembre
9 – Monday – Día de la Constitución / Constitution Day (official day is Friday the 6th) (to make for a long weekend from Friday the 6th to Monday the 9th Constitution Day will be celebrated on the 6th)

December/ Decembre
25 – Friday – Día de Navidad / Christmas Day (How Dominicans celebrate Christmas)
31 – Thursday – New Years Eve (New Year traditions)