October 12th: Fiesta Nacional, Spain’s controversial National Day

October 12th marks Spain’s Fiesta Nacional, a public holiday that commemorates Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas in 1492.

This date is controversial for many, representing both Spanish pride and historical colonialism.

Previously known as Día de la Hispanidad (Hispanic Day), this remains one of Spain’s two most significant national holidays alongside Constitution Day on December 6th.

Catholics also know this date as Día del Pilar, when they honour Our Lady of the Pillar. She serves as the patron saint of the Guardia Civil (Spain’s national police force) and the entire Hispanic world.

National television and radio broadcast events from across the country throughout the day.

How is Spain’s National Day celebrated?

Madrid hosts the main Fiesta Nacional celebrations each year. The King of Spain oversees the raising of the national flag before presiding over a massive military parade through the capital’s streets. The Prime Minister also plays a prominent role in these ceremonies.

Representatives from all of Spain’s military units participate, joined by various government authorities and dignitaries.

One of the day’s most spectacular moments comes when the Spanish Air Force performs an aerobatics display. This thrilling aerial demonstration has become a highlight of the National Day celebrations.

Why October 12th remains controversial in Spain

October 12th officially celebrates the union between Spain and Spanish-speaking Latin America. This message has become increasingly divisive in recent decades.

Many people view Columbus’s arrival not as a discovery but as the beginning of colonial oppression. Indigenous populations across the Americas suffered devastating losses following European colonisation.

Several Latin American countries have renamed their national holidays to reflect this perspective. Costa Rica calls it the Day of the Cultures, while Argentina, Chile and Mexico use the term Day of the Race. Venezuela goes further, naming it the Day of Indigenous Resistance.

The United States celebrates Columbus Day on the second Monday of October, though it became a federal holiday only in 1937.

Several US states now refuse to recognise the day, replacing it with Indigenous Peoples Day instead. This counter-celebration honours Native American history and culture.

Spain’s National Day and far-right politics

Critics argue that Spain should abolish the Fiesta Nacional entirely. They point to former dictator General Francisco Franco’s use of the holiday to promote the values of his authoritarian regime during his rule from 1939 to 1975.

More recently, the extreme-right party Vox has adopted October 12th for large public gatherings. These events express nationalist sentiment and what the party describes as “pride” in Spanish identity, further complicating the day’s meaning for many Spaniards.

The debate surrounding Spain’s National Day reflects deeper questions about how modern Spaniards should remember their country’s imperial past. Whilst some view October 12th as a celebration of shared Hispanic culture, others see it as glorifying conquest and colonialism.

Celebrating Spain’s National Day in Malaga

Outside Madrid, Spain’s National Day receives relatively little attention. Regional capitals may host modest events, but large-scale patriotic gatherings remain rare across most of the country.

Malaga typically marks Hispanic Day with a military procession through the city.

Parque de Huelin hosts a programme of performances and cultural activities, whilst smaller gatherings take place in the historic centre, particularly around Plaza de la Constitución.

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