History

The Order of the Liberator San Martin (Orden del Libertador San Martín) was instituted by the Executive on August 17, 1943, right after the Revolution of '43. It was reorganized on May 21, 1948, and later it was repealed and re-instituted on December 17, 1957. The current regulations were approved on December 18, 1967.

The Order is Argentina's highest order and the only one that has the Collar grade. It is conferred exclusively upon foreign government officials and military personnel who honorably served Argentina while performing their duties. It consists of six grades, e.i., Collar, Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, and Knight.

The Order was named in honor of General San Martin who was the greatest revolutionary hero in the Argentine War of Independence (1810-1820).

The Order's motto is featured on the obverse and translates to "Liberator San Martin."

The Collar is conferred exclusively upon foreign heads of state.

The government of Argentina awarded the first Collar in 1945 to Juan Antonio Rios, president of Chile. It has been awarded to Queen Elizabeth II; Rafael Caldera, president of Venezuela; and Ricardo Lago, president of Chile, among others.

The only Extraordinary Collar grade was conferred to Eva Perón in 1952, but it was destroyed, and its parts sold by the military government in 1955.

The Collar of the Order was designed by Ángel E. Ibarra Garcia who was inspired by General San Martin's life. The Collar is composed of alternating links of 10 elliptical laurel wreaths and 8 suns; the sun are an adaptation of Argentina's Sun of May while the laurel wreaths represent each victory of General San Martin. Besides, the badge appendant is suspended from a central link that depicts a condor holding a wreath and sabre; the condor represents his successful campaign crossing Los Andes to liberate Chile, and the sabre is a replica of one sword he used at the battles of Chacabuco, Maipu, and Lima.