National Flag Day, or Día de la Bandera, is observed in Chile every July 9 to honor the Chilean flag and commemorate the Battle of La Concepción, where 77 Chilean soldiers fought bravely against a larger Peruvian force. This day marks the anniversary of the battle that took place during the War of the Pacific in 1882, highlighting the sacrifice made by those who defended their flag. The current Chilean flag, known as La Estrella Solitaria, features two horizontal stripes of white and red, with a blue square and a white five-pointed star, symbolizing the Andes, the blood shed for independence, and the Pacific Ocean, respectively. Since 1939, the Chilean Armed Forces conduct coordinated ceremonies to recite the Pledge to the Flag, honoring the lives lost in this historic battle. The flag was first flown on February 12, 1818, during the independence ceremony in Santiago, and its design has evolved over the years.