This year, in this as in many other things, is totally atypical for reasons we all know. And that’s why the most popular festivities that charm both young and old have been reduced and restricted… as there’s no other option!

But that doesn’t mean we won’t commemorate and feel them. So today our tribute goes to October 12: Spain’s National Day, Hispanic Day, or Day of the Race—depending on the region of the world where you are.

It commemorates the day Christopher Columbus landed on the island of Guanahani, along with his men, in the Bahamas and discovered America. This was the connection between the known world at the time and the New World.

In 1892, on the occasion of the fourth centenary of the discovery and under the regency of María Cristina, a royal decree proposed aligning this date with the celebration of the National Day.

This festivity was also known as the “Day of the Race,” but in 1931 Ramiro de Maeztu wrote in the magazine *Spanish Action* that “October 12, wrongly called Day of the Race, should henceforth be the Day of Hispanity.”

It was in 1958 when October 12 was officially declared Spain’s National Day as the Day of Hispanity.

Since 1987, it has been called the National Day, with no mention of Hispanity. This is reflected in Law 18/1987, which states that the holiday symbolizes “the historic anniversary when Spain, about to conclude the construction of a State based on our cultural and political plurality and the integration of the Kingdoms of Spain under a single monarchy, begins a period of linguistic and cultural projection beyond European borders.”

In 2014, the United Nations (UN) also decided that October 12 would be the day to commemorate “the Spanish language” as a unifying element for the Hispanic world.

In previous years, the military parade was held in a central location in Madrid, but this year, due to the coronavirus crisis, the Ministry of Defense has decided to cancel the traditional October 12 parade and instead hold a simpler, less crowded ceremony in the Plaza de la Armería of the Royal Palace.

Instead, the Ministry is organizing a ceremony in the Plaza de la Armería of the Royal Palace, also presided over by King Felipe VI, but aimed at avoiding crowds, both of Armed Forces members and citizens who traditionally came to watch the parade.

The plan is for a representation of various units and branches of the Armed Forces to take part in the ceremony, possibly also featuring the Patrulla Águila, the Air Force’s acrobatic team.

So we’ll have it before us, but without being able to attend in person. But if you feel like taking a walk to soak in the “atmosphere” from outside, our doors are open for that aperitif in the meantime. 😉

Happy National Day!