Hispanic Day around the world in 2025


  How long until Hispanic Day?
Hispanic Day
  Dates of Hispanic Day around the world
2026 SpainOct 12
Spain Mon, Oct 12National Holiday
2025 SpainOct 12, Oct 13
Andalucía Mon, Oct 13Regional Holiday (in lieu)
Aragon Mon, Oct 13Regional Holiday (in lieu)
Extremadura Mon, Oct 13Regional Holiday (in lieu)
Spain Sun, Oct 12National Holiday
2024 SpainOct 12
Spain Sat, Oct 12National Holiday
2023 SpainOct 12
Spain Thu, Oct 12National Holiday
2022 SpainOct 12
Spain Wed, Oct 12National Holiday
  Summary

This national holiday commemorates the exact date when Christopher Columbus first set foot in the Americas

  Which countries observe Hispanic Day in 2025?
National Holiday Regional Holiday Not a public holiday Govt Holiday
  SpainOct 12
  SpainOct 13 (in lieu)

When is Hispanic Day?

This holiday is always celebrated on October 12th. If October 12th is a Sunday, then some regions may move the holiday to Monday October 13th.

It is Spain’s National Holiday and is also known as Hispanic Day or Fiesta Nacional de España or Día de la Hispanidad (in Spanish).

History of Hispanic Day

This national holiday commemorates the exact date when Christopher Columbus first set foot in the Americas.

Columbus was attempting to find a western sea route to India. After leaving the Canary Islands, Columbus' ships had been sailing west for five weeks, when on the morning of October 12th 1492, land was spotted.

The sighting is recorded as having been made by a lookout, but Columbus insisted that he had seen a light from land a few hours earlier, therefore making sure that he was awarded a lifetime pension from the Spanish Royal family for being the first person to spot land.

They then made landfall at an island in the Bahamas, which he named San Salvador, though it is not sure which island in the Bahamas this actually was.

Columbus' voyages across the Atlantic Ocean initiated the European exploration and colonization of the Americas.

Did you know?

While the first voyage in 1492 was immensely significant, Columbus did not actually reach the American mainland until his third voyage in 1498.

In 1892 Queen Maria Christina promulgated a Royal Decree declaring a national holiday on October 12th in commemoration of the Discovery of America. In 1913, the Ibero-American Union of Madrid named it Día de la Raza for “the union of all the Spanish-speaking regions.”

In 1935 it became Hispanic Heritage Day, although it did not have legal recognition until 1958 through a decree of the Presidency of the Government.

Officially, the National Holiday Day was established in 1987 with Law 18/1987. A Royal Decree of 1981 was the first document to establish the rules for celebrating October 12th in law.

Though the holiday marks the day Christopher Columbus arrived in the New World, in 1987 Spain removed any reference to Spanish colonialism from the name of the holiday.

How is Hispanic Day celebrated?

Spain’s national holiday coincides with the country’s Armed Forces Day and a military parade in Madrid is a key part of the celebrations each year. The Presidente del Gobierno (Prime Minister) has a special role in the ceremony, only second to the King. Then a wide array of authorities, from foreign diplomats deployed in Spain to members of the Autonomous governments, are invited to attend the parade.

Apart from the huge parade in the capital, Madrid, there are plenty of other celebrations that take place throughout the rest of the country.

In the Autonomous Community of Aragon, this date also commemorates Our Lady of the Pillar (their patroness). It is also observed by the Civil Guard.

Note that public transport will run on a "Sunday service" with less frequency. Look out for "domingos y festivos" on timetables. Some shops will be closed, especially outside city centers and tourist destinations. Most restaurants will be open.

Celebrate Spanish National Day with your Hue lights

Did you know?

Three facts about Hispanic Day

The world’s oldest existing lighthouse is the Tower of Hercules in Spain. It was erected in the first century. It is still operational today.

Spaniards spend more on food per capita than anyone else in Europe.

According to records, the first known stapler was made in the 18th century in the Basque country for the French King Louis XV.

More facts about Hispanic Day

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