The National Holiday of Spain or Hispanic Day (Fiesta Nacional de España or Día de la Hispanidad, in Spanish is the national day of Spain. It is held annually on October 12 and is a national holiday which commemorates the exact date of 1492 when Christopher Columbus first set a foot in America.
To commemorate it, there is a parade led by the military (usually held in Madrid) presided by the Spanish King, who is the Head of State, since Spain is politically organized as a constitutional monarchy. The Presidente del Gobierno has also 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 and aerobatics performed by the Spanish Armed Forces.
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.
Similar holidays commemorate the same event: Día de la Raza (Day of the Race) in many countries in Latin America, Día de las Culturas (Day of the Cultures) in Costa Rica, Discovery Day in The Bahamas and Columbia, Discoverer's Day in Hawaii, and the newly renamed alternate (as of 2002) Día de la Resistencia Indígena (Day of Indigenous Resistance) in Venezuela.
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