Order of the Sun
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Order of the Sun | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Awarded by Republic of Peru | |
| Type | |
| Eligibility | All |
| Awarded for | Civil and military merit |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Description | purple ribbon |
| Statistics | |
| Established | 8 October 1821, discontinued 1825 re-established 1921 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | none |
The Order of the Sun is the highest award bestowed by the nation of Peru to commend notable civil and military merit. The award is the oldest in America, first being established in 1821. The Order was originally instituted on 8 October 1821 by General José de San Martín on reaching Lima to recognise those who had distinguished themselves in the campaign against the Spanish Royalist. It was discontinued four years later, but was re-established in 1921.
[edit] Classes
The award consists of five classes:
- Grand Cross
- Grand Officer
- Commander
- Officer
- Knight
[edit] Recipients
Notable recipients include:
- American First Lady Pat Nixon, 1970[1]
- General of the United States Air Force Henry Harley "Hap" Arnold
- Thor Heyerdahl
- Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland
