HISTORY OF THE OCTOBER 1820 FLAG

Abstract

The author presents the history of the flag created by the revolution that occurred on the 9^th of October 1820 in Guayaquil. Created without a formal decree, there are some who doubt of its symbolism, as some historians have attributed a limited territorial scope to it. He sustains that the flag was created to represent the liberty of the whole Presidency of Quito. Its history evolves from the Quito Protective Division until the Colombian troops attain preponderance in numbers. The author sustains that the flag of October 1820 never reached the Battle of Pichincha and disappeared when the Yaguachi Battalion was formed with volunteers from the Presidency and a majority from Guayaquil. He also sustains that the creation of the flag of June 2, 1822 confirms the national intention of the flag of October 1820. He presents some legends passed on through the years.