Constitution Day in Spain
Constitution Day is a holiday observed in Spain that commemorates the approval of the Spanish Constitution in 1978. It is observed annually on December 6th and is recognized as a public holiday.
Spain (National holiday)This means it is a day off for much of the general public, and many schools, government buildings, and businesses are closed on this day. It is also customary for some high school students in Spain to be invited to the parliamentary buildings in Madrid a few days before this holiday to read Spain’s Constitution aloud in the Lower House.
The History of Constitution Day in Spain
On October 31, 1978, the Spanish Constitution was created, and it was ratified on December 6th of that same year. It was one of two fully democratic constitutions that have been created and ratified in Spain, and it went into full effect on December 29th, 1978.
When it went into effect, it essentially marked the culmination of the transition in Spain to a democratic society after the death of General Francisco Franco on November 20, 1975. Franco had ruled over Spain as a military dictator for almost four decades.
Facts About Spain
As we began to delve into the history and culture of Spain, we came across some facts that we thought were quite interesting. So interesting, in fact, that we couldn’t resist sharing them with everyone reading about Spain’s Constitution Day.
- Spain is the second-largest country in the EU.
- Nudity is legal in many places in Spain—although it’s considered inappropriate in some places.
- Spain has the second-highest life expectancy in the world—second only to Japan.
- The average life expectancy of a citizen in Spain is 83 years.
Observing Constitution Day in Spain
As already stated, this is a public holiday, so most businesses are closed. However, that doesn’t mean all businesses are closed, and some, such as grocery stores, may remain open.
Public transportation in the country may also operate on a reduced holiday schedule. Most people in Spain use this extra day off to spend time with friends and family, although there are a few official observances that take place on this day.
Spain (National holiday)
