The founding of Asunción is celebrated in Paraguay on August 15 every year. This public holiday commemorates the establishment of Asunción, the capital and largest city of Paraguay, which was founded by Spanish explorer Juan de Salazar y Espinosa in 1537. The city is one of the oldest in the Rio de la Plata Basin and is often referred to as the “Mother of Cities.” The celebration includes public speeches, parades, performances, dances, singing, and parties, with the most vibrant festivities taking place in Asunción itself. The holiday marks not only the city’s founding but also its historical significance as the center of a large colonial province and its role as the capital of Paraguay since the country declared independence from Spain in 1811.