Dia de la Hispanidad

31 October 2021

The 12th of October is the Spanish national festival. It’s the day Christopher Columbus set foot in America. It’s a symbol of commemoration and unity.

On the 12th October 1492, after crossing the Atlantic, the famous explorer Christopher Columbus set foot in South America, more precisely on Guanahani Island, in the Bahamas archipelago. He renamed it to San Salvador.

Four hundred years later, in 1892, the 12th of October officially became the National Day of Spain. At first, it was called “Dia de la Raza”. It became “Dia de la Hispanidad” in 1958, under the Spanish dictator Franco.

Under the democratic government of Felipe Gonzales, it was renamed to the National Day of Spain, or Fiesta Nacional de España. However, the phrase “Día de la Hispanidad” remains in everyday vocabulary. It is celebrated with military parades and a day off for people in Spain.

This October 12th holiday is shared with other Latin American countries, though under different names.

It is also an important holiday in Aragon, as it is "Día del Pilar", a day celebrating the patron saint of Zaragoza and Aragon. October 12th is also acknowledged by the UN as the Spanish Language Day.

Carlos Tarodo Estelles