El Día de la Hispanidad

For a so-called national day, there is very little to say about Spain’s Fiesta Nacional. It was first held in 1935, and takes place on October 12th. It was originally named El Día de la Hispanidad and marked the day that Columbus landed in the Americas in 1492. The name was changed to Fiesta Nacional in 1987.

Although there are military parades and air displays in Madrid, the day in general is quiet. Most shops and businesses close and people take the day off work and spend it with their families.

Related post: German National Day