May 21 is Día de las Glorias Navales (Day of Naval Glories) or more simply Navy Day, an official holiday in Chile.

The date was chosen to commemorate the Battle of Iquique, a naval engagement fought on May 21, 1879, during the naval stage of the War of the Pacific (held 1879 to 1884 between Chile and an alliance between Bolivia and Peru; the war ended in victory for Chile), between the Peruvian ironclad Huáscar, commanded by Miguel Grau Seminario, and the Chilean wooden corvette Esmeralda, commanded by Arturo Prat, which ended in the sinking of the Esmeralda after four hours of combat. However, in the subsequent Battle of Punta Gruesa, Peru would lose one of its most powerful warships, the Independencia, while the loss of the Esmeralda, an older wooden vessel, was relatively minor for Chile.

Despite Chile's loss, this battle proved to be important in the war as Prat's death while attempting to board the Huáscar inspired many Chilean men to enlist in Chile's military and also later the coining of "Pratiotism", a form of Chilean patriotism. Also honored this day is Grau, who despite being on the opposing side, rescued the survivors of the Esmeralda when it sank and later ordered the return of Prat's personal effects (diary, sword, and uniform) to the latter's widow, along with a letter praising Prat's courage and valor, actions that helped earn Grau the nickname "Gentleman of the Seas" and a reputation in both countries as a gallant naval hero.

Navy Day has also been the traditional day for the Annual Statement of the President of the Republic of Chile except during 2017 and 2018 to avoid major protests that day.

More Information

Navy Day (Chile) (Wikipedia))

See also

• May (month)