The Origin of Hispanic Day
Hispanic Day commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in America on October 12th, 1492. That voyage marked the beginning of an encounter between two worlds: Europe and the American continent. It was an event that forever transformed history, culture, language, and the way we understand the world. For centuries, this date was remembered in Spain as the Day of the Race or the Day of Discovery, but in 1958 it was officially renamed Fiesta de la Hispanidad (Hispanic Festival). Then, in 1987, a national law established October 12th as Spain’s National Day, under the name we all know today: National Day or Hispanic Day.
Beyond its historical origin, the date holds a much broader symbolic value: it represents the cultural encounter among Hispanic peoples and the expansion of a language now spoken by more than 500 million people worldwide.
The Meaning of Hispanic Day
Hispanic Day is much more than a remembrance of the past. It is a day to celebrate who we are today: a community of countries and people sharing a history, a language, and a culture that stretches from Spain to Latin America, including the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and many corners of the world where Spanish remains alive. Celebrating Hispanidad means recognizing the strength of what unites us: our language, traditions, gastronomy, music, art, and that open, welcoming character that defines Spanish-speaking peoples.
It’s not only about looking back but also looking forward with pride, acknowledging the diversity that is part of our shared history. Because being Hispanic means exactly that: being diverse, being a blend, being a bridge between cultures.
October 12th and the Virgin of El Pilar
October 12th also coincides with the feast of Our Lady of El Pilar, patroness of Zaragoza, of Aragon, and also of the Hispanic world. For this reason, the date has a dual meaning: religious and cultural. According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to the Apostle Saint James the Greater on a pillar of jasper by the Ebro River in Zaragoza, around the year 40 AD. That apparition gave rise to one of Christianity’s oldest Marian devotions: Our Lady of El Pilar.
Since then, the Virgin of El Pilar has been a symbol of faith, hope, and unity, especially among Hispanic peoples. In Zaragoza, her feast is lived with deep devotion and joy: masses, floral offerings, parades, and popular festivities fill the city with color, music, and emotion. This link between Hispanic Day and the Virgin of El Pilar reinforces the message of brotherhood and pride that defines this celebration. Because if something characterizes Hispanic peoples, it is this blend of tradition, spirituality, and celebration.
How It Is Celebrated in Spain
In Spain, Hispanic Day is a National Holiday, celebrated with official ceremonies, parades, and tributes. The most famous is the Military Parade in Madrid, presided over by the King and Queen, featuring the participation of the Armed Forces and national security bodies. It is a solemn event symbolizing Spain’s unity and honoring those who serve the country. But it is also a day of national pride, paying tribute to the history, culture, and values that have shaped our identity.
Across towns and cities, concerts, food fairs, and cultural events celebrate the best of our homeland: from Valencian paella to Iberian ham, from fine wines to traditional music and folklore from every region.
Hispanidad: A Bridge That Unites Continents
The concept of “Hispanidad” is not limited to Spain. It embraces a vast cultural community that includes Latin America, the Caribbean, and parts of Africa and Asia where the Spanish language and Hispanic traditions remain alive. In countries like Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Peru, or Colombia, October 12th is also commemorated, though under different names and interpretations: Day of the Race, Day of the Meeting of Two Worlds, or Day of Cultural Diversity, among others.
Each nation gives it its own meaning, but all share the same essence: recognizing the common legacy left by the encounter between Spain and the Americas. Today, that legacy is reflected in something that unites us beyond borders — the Spanish language. A language that is our shared home, a vehicle of identity, culture, and emotion. To speak Spanish is to belong to a global family, one that feels, sings, cooks, and lives with the same passion.
The Pride of Being Spanish
Hispanic pride is not measured in flags or speeches. It lives in everyday life: in how we speak, in how we share meals, in how we celebrate life. Being Hispanic means being moved by a song by Joaquín Sabina, enjoying a plate of Iberian ham, toasting with wine, and feeling that, even when we are far from home, we speak the same language of the heart.
This pride also shines through the millions of Spanish speakers living abroad who keep their traditions alive: cooking typical dishes, celebrating Spanish festivals, and passing down their love for their culture to their children. At Your Spanish Corner, we are proud to be part of that cultural bridge. Every product we send — from Iberian chorizo to a bar of turrón or a bottle of wine — is a little piece of Spain traveling across the world. It’s a way to keep that shared pride alive, the bond that unites everyone who loves all things Spanish.
A Day to Celebrate Who We Are
Hispanic Day is not just a historical date. It is a celebration of identity — an invitation to feel proud of our heritage, our language, and our culture. It’s the perfect moment to look toward the future without forgetting our roots, to recognize that diversity and mixture are essential parts of who we are. Because being Hispanic — being Spanish — is more than a nationality: it’s a way of living and feeling the world.
Celebrate this October 12th with us. Raise a glass to what unites us, to our history, and to that unmistakable flavor that travels with us wherever we go. At www.yourspanishcorner.com, you’ll find the products that taste like home, so every day can be a celebration of who we are — one great Hispanic family.