Happy birthday, Spain!

Newsroom 12/10/2012 | 09:44

The Fiesta Nacional de España is the national day of Spain which is held annually on October 12. It commemorates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ first arrival in the Americas in 1492, a day also celebrated in other countries.

The anniversary of Columbus’ arrival to the New World on October 12, 1492, is widely celebrated throughout the Americas: it is known as Columbus Day in the United States and as Día de la Raza in various Latin American countries.

The celebration of the anniversary in Spain dates to 1935, when the first festival was held in Madrid. The day was known as Dia de la Hispanidad, emphasizing Spain’s connection to the Hispanidad, the international Hispanic community. On November 27, 1981, a royal decree established Día de la Hispanidad as a national holiday. However, on October 7, 1987, the name was changed to Fiesta Nacional, and October 12 became one of two national celebrations, along with Constitution Day on December 6.