The true story behind Children's Day in Paraguay

In Paraguay , Children's Day is celebrated every August 16 , a different date from the rest of the countries of the world that also celebrate this date. The reason is full of blood and then we are going to tell you the true origin of this special celebration of the national calendar.

Origin of Children's Day

Children's Day is celebrated on August 16 , the day that commemorates the anniversary of the Battle of Acosta Ñu , within the framework of the War of the Triple Alliance , in which more than 3,000 minors died.

The War of the Triple Alliance was a warlike conflict that developed between 1864 and 1870. In this, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay joined in a pact against Paraguay . The conflict was a great loss for this nation, which had to give up a large part of its territory and in which between 60 and 80% of the men of the entire country died.

Within the framework of this war, the Battle of Tuyuyí took place on May 24, 1866, the bloodiest combat in the history of the subcontinent. In it, most of the soldiers perished within hours.

Although the Paraguayan forces were already depleted, the Triple Alliance did not back down and went ahead with the preparation of another attack. Given the inequality between the number of combatants, the surviving population, that is, the elderly, women and children had to join the combat commanded by Bernardino Caballero.

Finally, on August 16, 1860, the Battle of Acosta Ñu or Campo Grande took place, where the Brazilian army slaughtered soldiers and children without any kind of mercy. As a result, more than 3,200 Paraguayans were killed. The minors were the great victims of this conflict that was lost since its inception.

Thus, Paraguay remembers Children's Day on this date by recalling a heroism that should never and should never happen.