HISPANIC DAY OR NATIONAL DAY OF SPAIN 12th OCTOBER

Spain's National Day (Día de la Hispanidad) is celebrated on 12 October. With the advent of democracy in Spain, 12 October, a date that commemorates the discovery of America by Cristobal Colon in 1492, became the National Day of Spain.

Spain’s National Holiday, known as Hispanic Day or Fiesta Nacional de España or Dia de la Hispanidad, is celebrated every October 12. This national holiday commemorates the day Christopher Columbus first set foot on America. It is thus related to the Columbus Day celebrations held on the same day and for the same purpose across the Americas.

During National Day, there is a parade led by the military (usually held in Madrid) presided by the Spanish King. The Presidente del Gobierno has a special role in the ceremony, only second to that of the King. Then a wide array of authorities, from foreign diplomats deployed in Spain to members of the autonomous governments, are invited to attend the parade and aerobatics performed by the Spanish Armed Forces, typically by the Patrulla Aguila. In the Autonomous Community of Aragon, this date also honors Our Lady of the Pilar, their patroness. It is also observed by the Civil Guard.