Peruvian President Ollanta Humala participates today in a ceremony marking the 193th anniversary of Peru’s Navy and the 135st anniversary of the Naval Battle of Angamos.
The military ceremony, in which the government pays tribute to the Grand Admiral of Peru Miguel Grau Seminario who died in defense of the country on October 8, 1879 during the Naval Battle of Angamos, is scheduled for 09:40 hours (14:40 GMT) at the Plaza Grau square in Callao.
The minute of silence will be held at 09:50 hours (14:50 GMT) because at that exact time on October 8, 1879, a grenade thrown from Chilean ironclad ship Cochrane pierced Peru’s Huascar bridge killing Admiral Grau instantly.
Tribute will be carried out in all public institutions and by diplomatic delegations abroad.
In addition to Mr. Humala, the memorial event will be attended by ministers, heads of public institutions, diplomats and civil and military authorities who will place wreaths at the monument of national hero Miguel Grau.
As a tradition after this ceremony, the head of the Peruvian state will be on board BAP Montero to throw a wreath into the sea in honor of Peruvian heroes who died in the line of duty during the Battle of Angamos on 8 October 1879.
It should be noted the Montero, a Carvajal class frigate of the Peruvian Navy, is named after Rear Admiral Lizardo Montero Flores (1832–1905) who fought in the War of the Pacific.
On the other hand, Miguel Grau Seminario (1834-1879) was a renowned Peruvian naval officer and hero of the Naval Battle of Angamos during the War of the Pacific (1879-1884).
He was known as the el Caballero de los Mares (Spanish for "Knight of the Seas") for his chivalry and is esteemed by both Peruvians and Chileans. He is an iconic figure for the Peruvian Navy, and one of the most famous military leaders of the Americas.
His final resting place lies at the Escuela Militar Naval del Peru in Callao in an underground mausoleum.
He posthumously received the rank of Gran Almirante del Perú (Grand Admiral of Peru) in 1967 by order of the Peruvian Congress and, in 2000, was recognized as the "Peruvian of the Millennium" by popular vote.
(END) CCR/RMB
Published: 10/8/2014