October 12 Hispanic Day in Spain

Hispanic Day is held to commemorate the day Christopher Columbus landed on an island that is now part of the Bahamas in the Caribbean on October 12, 1492. having set sail from the port of Palos de la Frontera in South-West Spain on August 3,The anniversary of this date is marked as a national public holiday in Spain. On October 12. public life is generally quiet and many businesses and other organizations are closed many stores are closed but some bakers and food stores may be open. Public transport services generally run to a reduced schedule, although there may be no services in rural areas. Hispanic Day is a day off work and an opportunity to spend time quietly at home or in the company of family members and close friends The King of Spain attends a ceremony in which the Spanish national flag is raised in the center of Madrid on Hispanic Day. He and the prime minister then lead a large military parade.Spanish air force planes perform aerobatics above the route with plumes of yellow and red smoke to represent the Spanish flag.The whole event is broadcast live in the media.