On March 18th 1948, during a Netherlands-Surinam-Curaçao conference in the Hague, the establishment of an independent and a National Day for Aruba were set by the Aruban leader Shon A. Eman who presented a petition signed by more than 2000 Arubans in favor of independence. Almost thirty years later during a parliamentary session on March 16th 1976, it was agreed that March 18th would be Aruba's National Day - the day to celebrate Aruba's national anthem and flag. This was celebrated for the first time in 1976.
National Anthem and Flag Day Promotion
What do you know about Aruba? VisitAruba is organizing an Aruba Quiz. Answer the questions and win fabulous prizes!
From March 12th until March 18th VisitAruba will place several questions on our VisitAruba facebook page. Each question will be published together with an image and that image will be clue to the answer. Each question will only be available for two (2) days, so make sure to check back regularly. All (correct) answers will be entered into a raffle, all with the chance to WIN a unique Aruba prize.
It's very simple, all you need to do is:
'Like' the question on the VisitAruba Facebook page- Send your answers to Click here to send your answers to VisitAruba*
* If you answer directly on Facebook, your answer will be removed and you will be disqualified for participating.
Please take a look below at all the prizes that you can win.
Aruba Aloe® Island Remedy Gift Basket
Aruba Aloe® is giving away an Island Remedy Gift Basket. Restore your skin's natural beauty with Aruba Aloe®'s luxurious Island Remedy Collection. The Gift Basket consists of: Shampoo for Normal Hair, Conditioner with UV protection, Bath Gel, Body Lotion, Face Lotion & Hand Lotion.
Horseback riding Tour for one person by The Gold Mine Ranch
The Gold Mine Ranch is giving away a regular horseback riding tour for one person. The tour takes you to a wide range of man-made and natural wonders, beautiful beaches and sand dunes. The Gold Mine Ranch strives to provide you with a safe ride, instructions and plenty of attention will be provided to all their guests.
Scabeche Restaurant is giving away a Carnival Dinner Show for two. The Carnival Dinner Show includes a 3 course dinner menu including 1 glass of wine and a 45 minutes spectacular Carnival Show by the Coco Rico in Motion. The dinner show takes place every Thursday starting at 7 PM.
The Aruba Flag
The Aruba flag has four colors: Bunting yellow, Larkspur (or U.N.) Blue, Union Jack Red and White. The flag of Aruba consists of a red star with a white outline set against a sea-blue background with two parallel yellow stripes.The star symbolizes the four points of the compass, denoting the varied source of more than 40 nationalities living on Aruba.
Each of these colors is significant: the red color of the star symbolizes love of country and the white outline surrounding it represents the white sandy beaches around Aruba as well as the purity of Aruba's inhabitants who respect justice, freedom and righteousness. The blue color of the flag denotes the color of the surrounding sea.
The two yellow stripes on the flag denote the free position of Aruba with respect to The Netherlands and other islands while maintaining closeness with them. The yellow color is used to symbolize abundance - as evidenced by the sources of economic and industrial prosperity, representing the island's past and present industries of gold, aloe, tourism, the oil refinery and so forth.
The National Anthem
Aruba's National Anthem, "Aruba Dushi Tera" is a waltz composed by Juan Chabaya 'Padu' Lampe (lyrics) and Rufo Wever (music).
| Aruba Dushi Tera |
Aruba Precious Country |
| Aruba patria aprecia nos cuna venera chikito y simpel bo por ta pero si respeta. |
Aruba beloved home our venerated cradle though small and simple you may be you are indeed esteemed. |
| Refran: |
Refrain: |
| O, Aruba, dushi tera nos baranca tan stima nos amor p'abo t'asina grandi cu n'tin nada pa kibre (bis) |
Aruba our dear country our rock so well beloved our love for you is so strong that nothing can destroy it. (repeat) |
| Bo playanan tan admira cu palma tur dorna bo escudo y bandera ta orgullo di nos tur! |
Your beaches so much admired with palm trees all adorned your coat of arms and flag the symbols of our pride. |
| Refran |
Refrain |
| Grandeza di bo pueblo ta su gran cordialidad cu Dios por guia y conserva su amor pa libertad! |
The greatness of our people is their great cordiality and may God guide and preserve its love for freedom. |
| Refran |
Refrain |
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