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! 👇🏻
🇪🇸 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.
So… it’s a mix of national pride, religion, and tradition — very Spanish! 💃
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 🕊️ .
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
⚔️ Conquista – Conquest
🏰 Colonización – Colonisation
🪶 Pueblos indígenas – Indigenous peoples
🌈 Diversidad cultural – Cultural diversity
🇪🇸 Orgullo nacional – National pride
🎖️ Desfile militar – Military parade
🌸 Ofrenda floral – Flower offering
👗 Trajes tradicionales – Traditional costumes
✨ 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
🕊️ 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: