What is Hispanic Heritage Day and why it is celebrated on October 12. Hispanic Heritage Day is a commemorative holiday that is celebrated on October 12 of each year. This date has a lot of historical and cultural relevance for Spanish-speaking countries.
Columbus Day is a commemorative holiday celebrated on October 12 of each year.
This date has a lot of historical and cultural relevance for Spanish-speaking countries.
Hispanic Day pays tribute to the meeting of American and European cultures that took place more than five centuries ago and commemorates its impact on the world today.
If you are a Spanish student, perhaps you are curious to know in depth what Columbus Day is and why is it celebrated on October 12.
Do you want to discover it? Well, stay with us for a little while, we will delve into its origin, its evolution over time and the different ways in which it is celebrated in different Spanish-speaking countries.
You will discover the immense cultural wealth behind the spanish language and all the precious diversity of the Hispanic community.
By the way, if in addition to expanding your knowledge about Spanish culture and celebrations, you want to improve your language level, do you know that you can do it with us?
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Do you want to know the origin of Hispanic Heritage Day and how it is celebrated? Well let's go there!
October 12th Hispanic Heritage Day is a date of great importance in the history of the Spanish-speaking community.
This commemoration has its origin in the year 1492, when Christopher Columbus arrived in America and the first meeting between Europe and America took place, giving rise to the union of various languages and cultures.
Law 18/1987 officially proclaimed this day as the National Holiday Day of Spain.
Since then, it is a holiday throughout Spain.
It should be noted that, although Columbus Day is a date in which cultural diversity and historical roots are celebrated, for many people it has also become a controversial topic due to the colonialism that occurred from the Europeans in America.
We are not going to give an opinion on it, we just want to show you objectively what October 12 is and how it is celebrated in Spain and other countries.
You already know when Columbus Day is. But since what year has it been celebrated?
This festival began to be officially celebrated in Spain in 1935.
Originally, it was called Columbus Day to commemorate the arrival of Christopher Columbus to America on October 12, 1492.
The idea was to highlight the cultural and linguistic ties shared by Spanish-speaking countries.
Where is Hispanic Heritage Day celebrated?
Apart from Spain, this festival takes place in around 20 countriesfrom Latin and Central America, including Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Cuba, Venezuela, among others.
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The programming for Hispanic Heritage Day in Spain follows a series of protocols.
Most events take place in Madrid, the Spanish capital.
The most notable Columbus Day activity is the military parade which takes place on the famous Avenida del Paseo de la Castellana in Madrid.
This parade brings together the Armed Forces and other security forces of the country and is presided over by the king of Spain.
On the Paseo de la Castellana in Madrid there is also a flower offering to the Christopher Columbus monument.
In the Plaza de Cuzco, also in Madrid, an official ceremony takes place where the Spanish flag is raised and honors are paid to national symbols.
This would be the most patriotic part of the celebration, but they also do cultural activities throughout Spain.
The Hispanic Day is a holiday, and people take to the streets to enjoy the concerts, exhibitions, dance shows and other events that are organized.
One of the Curiosities of Columbus Day is that many museums open their doors for free, so if you have a museum waiting to see, go visit it on this day!
Formerly there was a military parade that was held on May 30, known as Armed Forces Day.
Thanks to Royal Decree 862/1997, this show is now showcased during the Hispanic Heritage Day festival, on October 12, so that everyone can appreciate it in its maximum splendor.
The goal of the Columbus Day military parade is to raise awareness about the meaning and importance of the functions of our armed forces.
The Columbus Day parade is not only a display of strength and skill, but also an opportunity to connect the Armed Forces with the society they serve.
This military parade is spectacular. You can even see airplanes flying over Madrid on Columbus Day.
The Hispanic Day It is known by various names in different places, some of which are:
We have already seen that this day is very important in Spain. But this is not the only country in which it is celebrated.
The Hispanic Day in America It is also very important.
Do you want to know how it is celebrated in some countries on this continent?
Let's see it!
In Mexico it is called «Columbus Day».
It is named after the union of the indigenous Mexican race with the Spanish and Europeans after the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492.
During this day in Mexico, they celebrate that union of cultures and miscegenation.
Above all, it seeks highlight cultural wealth of indigenous communities and their contribution to Mexican identity.
This is celebrated with parades, folk dances, ceremonies, artistic exhibitions and many other cultural activities.
Hispanic Heritage Day in Colombia is also called Columbus Day.
As in many Latin American countries, this festival also commemorates the union of cultures and ethnicities starting in 1492.
Colombia is one of the countries in the world where there is the most miscegenation.
Therefore, Columbus Day celebrates the union of all ethnicities that make up the country, who are mainly indigenous, black, white, mestizos, mulattos and zambos.
Columbus Day in Honduras and other countries can be a controversial topic and put into debate due to the effects of colonization on American lands.
Despite the controversies, this festival is very popular in the country, and today it is celebrated happily because the different cultures of the country, such as the Garífuna, Pech, Lenca and Chortí.
Hispanic Heritage Day in the United States is also celebrated, since the presence of Latin Americans in this country is very large.
They call it there "Columbus Day" (Columbus Day) and has been celebrated since 1971 on the second Monday in October.
In reality, in the United States an entire month is dedicated to Hispanic Heritage. From September 15 to October 15, the Hispanic Heritage Month.
During this month, the contribution to American society and culture of Spanish-speaking people is recognized, as well as their important presence in the country's population today.
And we have finished today's article. Now you know better what is Hispanic Heritage Day, why and how it is celebrated in Spain and other countries on the American continent.
Despite the controversies related to this issue, we think it is a nice day to celebrate. It is beautiful that so many countries share similar cultures and the same language.
Do you also want to learn Spanish? Well, don't think twice and learn it with us at Hispania, Spanish school 🙌🏻.
Have you ever seen the Columbus Day celebration live?
Do you know other countries where it is also celebrated and we have not commented?
If so, leave us a comment.
A big hug and happy Columbus Day!
Article written by Carlos Martinez for Hispania, Spanish school.
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