Why is today the day of Hispanics?
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Spanish
The 12th of October is Spain’s national day, which has been called Día de la Hispanidad since 1935, replacing the Día de la Raza (Columbus Day) which had been celebrated since 1913. Among the usual acts are several citizen demonstrations and a military parade attended by members of the government and the royal family. But… do you know what is commemorated that day?
What is commemorated on October 12?
October 12 marks the anniversary of the main event in the modern history of Spain, which began the creation of the Empire of modern times and the road to Spain as we know it today.
THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA
On 3 August 1492, three fully equipped ships set sail from the port of Palos de Moguer. They were La Pinta, La Niña and La Santa María, and at their head was Captain Christopher Columbus, who was financed by the Catholic Monarchs and who promised to be able to reach Cipango, present-day Japan, crossing the Atlantic.
After stopping in the Canary Islands for repairs, they set sail on a voyage that was to last two months, during which Columbus’ forecasts of the distance to be covered proved to be erroneous, resulting in two riots.
On the 11th of October, after the second mutiny and with the spirits of the crew very soliviant, it was agreed that they would only continue sailing three days before recognising the failure and returning. The next day, however, land was sighted. In a few weeks they landed in the current Cuba and El Salvador, in the Caribbean, where the strong Natividad was built with the remains of the nao Santa María, which sank in the landing.
In the following centuries, Spain built its empire from those Caribbean positions: it conquered almost all of South America, Central America and what is now the southern United States and became the most powerful nation in the world. And that’s what is commemorated on Hispanic Heritage Day.
