Order of the Sun of Peru
The Order of the Sun of Peru (Spanish: "Orden El Sol del Perú"), formerly known as 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 civilian award in the Americas, first being established in 1821. History. The Order was originally instituted on 8 October 1821 by General José de San Martín upon reaching Lima, to recognize those who had distinguished themselves in the campaign against the Spanish Royalists. The three classes of appointment to the Order  were, in descending order of precedence: Founder, Meritorious and Associate. It was discontinued four years later, after many grantees started to use the award as a nobility title, similar to the earlier Castile titles awarded by the colonial government. The Congress issued a law abolishing the Order of the Sun on May 9, 1825. In 1921, the Order was re-established to commemorate the Centennial of Peruvian Independence. Classes. The award consists of the following classes: