--- title: "🇪🇸 October 12th in Spain: What’s really celebrated?🤔" description: "October 12th in Spain: National Day, history, how it’s celebrated, comparisons with other countries, controversies, and key Spanish vocabulary for learners!" image: https://blog.soyguiri.com/hubfs/GIF%20(16)-1.png --- [![logo-soy-guiri](https://blog.soyguiri.com/hubfs/logo-soy-guiri.svg) ![logo-soy-guiri](https://blog.soyguiri.com/hubfs/logo-soy-guiri.svg)](https://soyguiri.com/) - [Our Method](https://soyguiri.com/#methodology) - [Our Courses](https://soyguiri.com/#our-courses) - [About us](https://soyguiri.com/#about-us) - [Impact](https://soyguiri.com/impact/) - [Blog](https://blog.soyguiri.com) - [Contact](https://soyguiri.com/#contact-us) [My Account](https://soyguiri.com/wp-login.php) - [Our Method](https://soyguiri.com/#methodology) - [Our Courses](https://soyguiri.com/#our-courses) - [About us](https://soyguiri.com/#about-us) - [Impact](https://soyguiri.com/impact/) - [Blog](https://blog.soyguiri.com) - [Contact](https://soyguiri.com/#contact-us) [My Account](https://soyguiri.com/wp-login.php) [New blog](https://blog.soyguiri.com/tag/new-blog) [Spanish Lifestyle](https://blog.soyguiri.com/tag/spanish-lifestyle) # 🇪🇸 October 12th in Spain: What’s really celebrated?🤔 [Elena](https://blog.soyguiri.com/author/elena) October 10 2025 Every **12th of October**, Spain stops to celebrate its **National Day** — *El Día de la Hispanidad*. But… 🤔 what exactly are Spaniards celebrating? And why do other countries celebrate the same day so differently? 🌍 Let’s dive into the history, meaning and debate behind this important date! 👇🏻 ![GIF (17)-1](https://blog.soyguiri.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GIF%20(17)-1.png?width=856&height=527&name=GIF%20(17)-1.png) ### 🎉 Why do we celebrate October 12th? 🇪🇸 On **12th October 1492**, **Christopher Columbus** arrived in the Americas. For Spain, this moment symbolises the *meeting of two worlds* 🌎. The official name is **Fiesta Nacional de España**, also known as **Día de la Hispanidad**, celebrating Spain’s history and connection with the Spanish-speaking world. ✨ **How it’s celebrated:** In **Madrid**, there’s a huge **military parade** 🎖️ with the **King, Queen, and government**. Planes paint the sky in red and yellow, and the Spanish flag 🇪🇸 waves proudly. 🎥 **Here’s a video of last year’s parade**, where you can see the Spanish royal family and all the military forces marching through the streets of Madrid:   At the same time, **Zaragoza** celebrates **Las Fiestas del Pilar** 🌸, honouring **Our Lady of the Pillar (La Virgen del Pilar)**. Thousands of people wear traditional clothes and bring flowers in a colourful *Ofrenda de Flores*. 🎥 Click the image to watch a video of the celebrations in Zaragoza, with traditional costumes, music, and the famous flower offering to Our Lady of the Pillar. [![Información útil sobre la Ofrenda de Flores. Noticia. Ayuntamiento de Zaragoza](https://www.zaragoza.es/cont/paginas/noticias/2024/informacio_n_ofrenda.jpg)](https://www.rtve.es/play/videos/telediario-1/miles-personas-ofrenda-flores-virgen-pilar-zaragoza/6988303/) So… it’s a mix of **national pride, religion, and tradition** — very Spanish! 💃 ## **🌎 Is it a celebration in other countries?** Yes! 🎈 But each country gives it a *different* meaning. 🇺🇸 **United States – Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day** Some celebrate **Columbus’s arrival** 🚢, while others honour **indigenous peoples** 🪶 and their history. 🇲🇽 **Mexico – Día de la Raza** Originally celebrated **Hispanic heritage** 🇪🇸, but now focuses on **cultural diversity** 🎭 and inclusion. 🇻🇪 **Venezuela – Día de la Resistencia Indígena** A tribute to **indigenous resistance** 💪 during colonisation ⚔️. 🇨🇷 **Costa Rica – Día de las Culturas** Celebrates the **mix of cultures** 🌎 — European, American, African and Asian 🌍. 🇵🇪 **Peru – Día de los Pueblos Originarios** Honours **indigenous peoples** 🌽 and promotes **dialogue among cultures** 💬. *👉 Same date, very different meanings! Some countries celebrate discovery 🌅, others prefer to reflect on history 🕊️ .* ### [![test + free lesson](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/144185739/interactive-185741846769.png)](https://blog.soyguiri.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLL9M2Z7g7ir3hMwq5Zu6U2lpjzU7LgrcZoRxakYyysRxIA4mC5Qpvj%2FddC6w5yPrgPsmrCPM1SIwGwEMqIvaz%2FP2aS9tpJYOVOEXDLnV691DoLsu%2FCEF2h6UF7ZKCYjNJYzkUkwgHrxXlQj6XHidZtlTZ8hoDgrNJ5O%2FaIPLlAxqowVC6zon6%2BhFyDceFGBfvNm2x8sD09p3QyZrrV9&webInteractiveContentId=185741846769&portalId=144185739) ## **⚖️ Controversies and perspectives about this day?** Like many historical holidays, **October 12th sparks debate** 🗣️💭. 💬 Some people see it as a **day of unity and shared heritage** 🇪🇸. They celebrate the connection between Spain and the Spanish-speaking world 🌎, and feel proud of the country’s history and culture ❤️. Others criticise it because it also represents **colonisation**, **conquest**, and the suffering of **indigenous peoples** 🪶⚔️. For them, it’s not a day to celebrate, but to **reflect** and **remember** the other side of history 🕊️. 🌈In many Latin American countries, the name and meaning of this day have changed to highlight **diversity**, **resistance**, and **cultural identity** instead of conquest 💪🏽. In Spain, opinions are mixed. Some defend it as a **symbol of national pride** and tradition, while others believe it’s time to rethink what the day means in today’s world 🔍. 👉 In the end, October 12th reminds us that **history has many voices** — and learning about all of them helps us understand the present better 🌍🤝. **💬 Language implications** This topic is perfect for Spanish learners! 🇪🇸 Here’s some key vocabulary: 🚢 ***Descubrimiento de América*** – Discovery of America 👂🏻 0:01   ⚔️ ***Conquista*** – Conquest 👂🏻 0:01   🏰 ***Colonización*** – Colonisation 👂🏻 0:01   🪶 *Pueblos indígenas* – Indigenous peoples 👂🏻 0:01   🌈 ***Diversidad cultural*** – Cultural diversity 👂🏻 0:01   🇪🇸 ***Orgullo nacional*** – National pride 👂🏻 0:01   🎖️ ***Desfile militar*** – Military parade 👂🏻 0:01   🌸 *Ofrenda floral* – Flower offering 👂🏻 0:01   👗 ***Trajes tradicionales*** – Traditional costumes 👂🏻 0:01   ✨ Useful expressions for debate: 🤔 *Creo que…* – I think that… 💭 En mi opinión… – In my opinion… 👍👎 *Estoy de acuerdo / No estoy de acuerdo* – I agree / I disagree [![CTA grande - Clase gratuita](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/144185739/interactive-185746953443.png)](https://blog.soyguiri.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJZ4Y84n5R6BRniPZDj3UxabUdGjUzYPP5LwcXwJ1TnrCEkQxJuslttv10oBBBNRO31b%2Fgai4qnD%2FCMNwHp3vnNUPfNR2Qpz8fELXFRQlzxYQk0DpazPZdYKh26Rg8jcy6Kz8%2B3kY%2Bsf2xkrNvVCJv69YtCmMTqrcVSdaAx7lEWE9biRlGUANA7i0i8X755fIrcVcBFnhjy1REPPyDC&webInteractiveContentId=185746953443&portalId=144185739) 🕊️ Conclusion October 12th 🎆 is more than a date — it’s a **symbol of history, identity and dialogue**. In Spain, it’s a proud and festive day 🇪🇸. In other countries, it’s a time to reflect and recognise different voices. 🌎Understanding this celebration helps you learn not only new **Spanish words**, but also how culture and history connect people (and sometimes divide them too). 💭   🕌 October 12th quiz **Instructions:** Choose the correct answer: 1\. 🇪🇸 What does Spain celebrate on 12 October? The end of summer ☀️ Columbus's arrival in the Americas 🌎 The Spanish Civil War ⚔️ 2\. 🏛️ What is the official name of the holiday in Spain? Día de la Independencia 💥 Fiesta Nacional de España 🇪🇸 Día del Trabajo 🧑‍🏭 3\. 🌸 Which city celebrates Las Fiestas del Pilar on this date? Madrid 🏙️ Barcelona 🌆 Zaragoza 🌸 4\. 🙏 What is the Ofrenda de Flores? A flower market 🌷 A flower offering to Our Lady of the Pillar A royal costume parade 👑 5\. 🎖️ What usually happens in Madrid on 12 October? A beach festival 🏖️ A large military parade with the King A national bullfighting final 🐂 6\. 🇺🇸 What alternatives exist to 'Columbus Day' in the US? Indigenous Peoples' Day 🪶 Day of the Kings 👑 Festival of Colours 🎨 7\. 🇲🇽 What is 12 October called in Mexico? Día de la Raza 🧬 Día de las Culturas 🌎 Día de la Independencia 🇲🇽 8\. 🇻🇪 What is the name in Venezuela? Día de la Resistencia Indígena 🪶 Día del Orgullo Nacional 🇻🇪 Día del Patrimonio 🏛️ 9\. 🌍 'Encuentro entre dos mundos' means… Meeting of two worlds War between two countries Friendship between two kings 10\. 👼 Who is La Virgen del Pilar in Spanish culture? Spain's patron saint The Queen of Spain A symbol of independence ✅ Check Answers   ### 🌍 And what about you? ### Is there a similar celebration in your country? 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