History

The Order of Ruben Darío was established by Anastasio Somoza García on February 15, 1951. It is still conferred upon Nicaraguans and foreigners in recognition of meritorious service to Nicaragua and society in the fields of literature, art, science, and international relations.

The Order's grades are Collar, Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer, and Knight. The current statutes were approved in 2002.

The Order was named after the famous Nicaraguan writer and poet, Ruben Darío García Sarmiento (1867-1916), who initiated the "Modernismo" in Latin America fostering the relations between Latin American and European Hispanic writers.