This the work calendar in 2024 includes 12 national holidaysincluding eight permanent ones. One of those that falls into this category is Hispanic Heritage Day, celebrated in all regions of Spanish geography and also called National Day of Spain. Its celebration takes place on October 12 and we will tell you in which autonomous communities they celebrate in 2024 for this day when we begin to discover a little more about the history of our country.
Some autonomous communities live this day more intensely than others, but in all of them this day is marked by days in which we must begin to prepare to live some of the most special days. This October 12, 2024 will be a Saturday, but that does not mean that in some communities they have not decided to make a bridge. In Valencia we have the Valencian Community Day very close to this day, October 9, which could gain ground as this national holiday approaches.
Origin of Columbus Day
To talk about it Columbus Day It is obligatory to go back to the year 1892when the October 12 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Discovery of America. Since then and until today, this day is a public holiday and today it is Law 18/1897, which establishes the references to National holiday.
“The commemoration of the National Day, a common practice in today’s world, aims to solemnly commemorate moments of collective history which are part of the common historical, cultural and social heritage, assumed as such by the vast majority of citizens . (…) The chosen date, October 12, symbolizes the historic anniversary in which Spain, on the verge of concluding a process of State building based on our cultural and political plurality, and of integration of the Kingdoms of Spain in a single monarchy, itself begins a period of linguistic and cultural projection beyond European limits”, can be read in the Law 18/1897collected by BOÉ.
He Columbus Day it’s a non-replaceable national holidaywe are therefore talking about a celebration throughout the national territory, regardless of the day of the week on which it takes place each year. Other holidays are called replaceable holidays, which, if exhibited on one day of the week, can be replaced by another.
In which municipalities is October 12 a public holiday?
Being a non-substitutable national holiday, October 12 It is the day marked to celebrate the National holiday and it will be festive throughout Spain. In 2023, this will fall into THURSDAYthere will therefore be no bridge as such in any autonomous community, beyond the one that can be connected individually by certain workers who can accept, due to vacation, not to work on Friday October 13 and thus become addicted on the weekend.
Where Columbus Day is not a holiday
Throughout the national territory, without exception, the day will be a public holiday. October 12 every year and in this 2023the second Thursday of this month will host a party throughout Spain because of Columbus Day. Although in all the autonomous communities there are events, of a more or less large nature, such as celebrations, it is in Madrid that the greatest number of events take place, highlighting the traditions Columbus Day Paradewith the presence of King Felipe VI as headliner. Likewise, many museums in the Spanish capital can be visited during an open day, in the case of Prado Museumthe Reina Sofía Museum or the Sorolla Museum.
In addition, of Columbus Day Paradeit is also relevant on October 12 to celebrate the Day of the Virgin of Pilarwith particular importance in Zaragoza, where from October 7 to 15 a week of celebrations will take place, the Pillar Festivalson the occasion of the anniversary of the feast of the patron saint of the Aragonese capital.
Now you know a little more about this day which, as it falls on a Saturday, can change something as essential as supermarket opening hours. We will have to be very attentive, especially if we go shopping that day or if we carry out certain routines that can fully affect us. This is a holiday that we will have to mark on the calendar to be able to ask which places are open. This year we will not have a long weekend, but it will still change the routine of traditionally festive days. Now count the hours of this parade and this calendar of events that every year will surprise us with important news.
