October 12th National Day festivities

October 12th sees the celebration of Spain's National Day (Día de la Fiesta Nacional), which has been held since 1987. The date has historical significance as the day that Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas in 1492, bringing together the old and the new worlds.  

 As part of the festivities, there is a large military display in Madrid, where members of the navy, the Guardia Civil, and the Spanish Air Force march along the capital’s main avenue. The highlight of the event is a fly-by acrobatic display by the Patrulla Aguila (Hawk Patrol). 

 Other celebrations are held across the country on the same date, such as the Our Lady of the Pillar (Virgen del Pilar) patron saint's day in Zaragoza, featuring fairs and parades, and a further military parade in Huelva; from where Columbus set sail on his historic journey.