During the French Revolutionary Wars, comprehensive French victory over the Prussians 20 September 1792, near Valmy, a French village about 55 km/35 mi southwest of Reims. This forthright defeat of a powerful army by the previously despised revolutionary forces set the seal upon the authority of the revolutionary French government.
White stands for the snowy peaks of the Andes. Red symbolizes the blood shed by the freedom fighters. Blue represents the clear Andean skies. Effective date: c. 18 October 1817.