Dominican Republic marks 182 years of its Constitution with ceremonies in San Cristóbal led by Raquel Peña
The Dominican Republic marks this Friday, November 6, the 182nd anniversary of the proclamation of its first Constitution, promulgated on November 6, 1844, in San Cristóbal, months after the country's independence on February 27 of that year. The Constitution laid the foundations for the organization of the state, the powers of public institutions, and the principles of democratic life in the young Republic.
Vice President Raquel Peña is leading the official ceremonies in San Cristóbal, representing President Luis Abinader, who is in Madrid attending the international engagements of the 30th Ibero-American Summit. Peña is acting as president while the head of state is abroad, the Vice Presidency said.
The program began at 10:00 a.m. with the Solemn Hearing of the Constitutional Court at the Loyola Polytechnic Institute, followed at 11:30 a.m. by the Civic-Military Parade in honor of the Constitution. The day also includes the inauguration of the Salomé Ureña School, the roofing of El Pueblecito, and the Villa Juana Child Care Center in the municipality of Haina.
Although Constitution Day falls on this Friday, it is a working day and the holiday was moved to Monday, November 9, under Law 139-97, the Ministry of Labor said. The Constitution, proclaimed in 1844 and amended several times since, remains the supreme law guaranteeing fundamental rights and the rules governing Dominican institutions.
Photo: Vice Presidency of the Dominican Republic