Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a large country in Southwestern Europe. It covers most of the Iberian Peninsula, sharing borders with France, Andorra, Portugal, and the Atlantic Ocean. The country also includes the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, and two autonomous cities in Africa. As the fourth most populous EU member state, Spain boasts major cities like Madrid (the capital), Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville.
1900: Spain's Population Growth Since 1900
Spain's population experienced significant growth, increasing by two and a half times since 1900 when it stood at 18.6 million. This surge was primarily attributed to a notable demographic boom during the 1960s and early 1970s.
1901: Founding of Regionalist League of Catalonia
The Regionalist League of Catalonia, a Catalan nationalist organization, was founded in 1901.
July 1909: Tragic Week
The Tragic Week, a series of riots and protests in Barcelona, took place in July 1909, highlighting the social instability of the time.
1910: Founding of Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (CNT)
The Confederación Nacional del Trabajo (CNT), an anarcho-syndicalist trade union, was founded in Spain in 1910.
1919: La Canadiense Strike and 8-hour Workday Law
The La Canadiense strike of 1919 led to Spain's first law limiting the workday to eight hours.
1923: Beginning of Crown-supported Dictatorship
A period of Crown-supported dictatorship began in Spain in 1923, lasting until 1931.
1927: Founding of Federación Anarquista Ibérica (FAI)
The Federación Anarquista Ibérica (FAI), an anarchist group, was founded in Spain in 1927.
April 1931: Proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic
Following the 12 April 1931 municipal elections, which saw a victory for Republican-Socialist candidates, King Alfonso XIII left Spain and the Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed in April 1931.
June 1931: Constituent General Election
A Constituent General Election was held in June 1931 to elect representatives to draft a new constitution for the Second Spanish Republic.
October 1931: Passage of the Spanish Constitution of 1931
A new constitution for Spain was passed in October 1931 during the Second Republic.
1931: Spanish as the official language
In 1931, Spanish or "Castilian" became the official language of the entire country.
1931: End of the Restoration
The Restoration, a period of stable monarchy in Spain, ended in 1931 with the proclamation of the Second Spanish Republic.
1932: Failed Coup by José Sanjurjo
General José Sanjurjo led a failed coup d'état against the Second Spanish Republic in 1932.
1932: Sound Films in Spain
Local studios in Spain began creating sound films in 1932.
1933: Right-wing Victory in Elections
The right-wing parties triumphed in the Spanish general election of 1933.
1934: Revolution of 1934
The Revolution of 1934, an uprising against the right-wing government, took place in Spain.
October 1936: Francisco Franco as Supreme Leader
General Francisco Franco was sworn in as the supreme leader of the Nationalist faction in the Spanish Civil War on 1 October 1936.
1936: End of the Silver Age of Spanish Culture
The Silver Age of Spanish Culture, a broader period encompassing literary and cultural movements from 1868 or 1874, came to an end in 1936.
1936: Left-wing Victory in Elections
The left-wing parties emerged victorious in the Spanish general election of 1936.
1937: Formation of Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS
The Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS (FET y de las JONS), the only legal party under Franco's dictatorship, was formed in 1937 through the merging of various right-wing groups.
April 1939: End of the Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War ended on 1 April 1939 with the victory of the Nationalist faction led by Francisco Franco.
1941: Dubbing of Foreign Films
The Spanish government mandated the dubbing of foreign films in 1941, a decision that shaped the viewing habits of Spanish audiences, accustoming them to dubbed content.
1955: Spain's Strategic Importance During the Cold War
In 1955, amidst the Cold War, Spain's strategic value to the United States grew, as it became crucial for the US to establish a military presence on the Iberian Peninsula to counter any potential Soviet Union advances into the Mediterranean.
1959: Formation of ETA
ETA, a radical nationalist movement advocating for Basque independence, emerged in Spain in 1959 during Franco's rule.
1962: Opposition to Franco's Regime Gathers Momentum
In 1962, at the European Movement congress in Munich, a group of politicians opposed to Franco's regime, both within Spain and in exile, convened and issued a resolution advocating for democracy in Spain.
1964: UEFA European Championship Victory
Spain's national men's football team secured their first victory in the UEFA European Championship in 1964.
1970: Start of Educational Reform
Between 1970 and 2014, Spain saw a period of significant educational reform, with the implementation of seven different educational laws (LGE, LOECE, LODE, LOGSE, LOPEG, LOE and LOMCE).
November 1975: Franco's Death and the Rise of Juan Carlos
Following Franco's death in November 1975, Juan Carlos assumed the throne, adhering to Francoist law.
1975: Foreign Policy Shift After Franco
Following Franco's death in 1975, Spain prioritized breaking diplomatic isolation, joining the European Community, and defining security relations with the West.
1975: End of Francoist Dictatorship
The Francoist dictatorship, which had ruled Spain since the end of the Spanish Civil War in 1939, came to an end in 1975.
March 1976: Massacre of 3 March 1976
The Massacre of 3 March 1976 in Vitoria was a pivotal event during Spain's transition to democracy.
June 1976: Appointment of Adolfo Suárez
In June 1976, King Juan Carlos dismissed Carlos Arias Navarro and appointed Adolfo Suárez as Prime Minister, paving the way for political reform.
1977: The 1977 Amnesty Law
The 1977 Amnesty Law in Spain allowed individuals who had been part of Franco's regime to remain in their positions without facing repercussions for their actions during the dictatorship.
1977: General Election and Drafting of the Constitution
The general election in 1977 led to the convening of the Constituent Cortes to draft a new constitution.
December 1978: Approval of the New Constitution
On December 6, 1978, a national referendum resulted in 88% of voters approving the new constitution.
1978: Spanish Constitution of 1978
In 1978, the Spanish Constitution was established, featuring "Castilian" as the official language for the entire country, while also allowing other Spanish languages to become official within their respective autonomous communities.
1978: Protection of Human Rights and Cultural Diversity
The Spanish Constitution of 1978 enshrined the protection of human rights, cultures, traditions, languages, and institutions of all Spaniards and peoples of Spain.
1978: Establishment of Autonomous Communities
The Spanish Constitution of 1978 led to the creation of autonomous communities, granting self-governance to nationalities and regions within Spain.
1978: A New Constitution and Regional Autonomy
With the enactment of a new Spanish Constitution in 1978, democracy was restored, and significant authority was devolved to the regions, leading to the creation of autonomous communities.
February 1981: Attempted Coup
On February 23, 1981, a group of rebels within Spain's security forces attempted a coup to install a military-backed government.
May 1982: Spain Joins NATO
Spain officially became a member of NATO in May 1982, a decision that followed a period of intense social opposition and a subsequent referendum.
1982: Spain Joins NATO
Spain joined NATO in 1982, marking its commitment to multilateral international security.
1986: Spain Joins the European Economic Community
In 1986, Spain joined the European Economic Community (EEC), which later evolved into the European Union (EU).
1992: Barcelona Summer Olympics
The 1992 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, hosted in Barcelona, Spain, sparked a surge of interest in sports throughout the nation and contributed to significant improvements in sports infrastructure.
1996: Start of Significant Immigration Wave
In 1996, Spain experienced the beginning of a substantial wave of immigration, with the number of immigrants increasing from 500,000 to 5.2 million by 2008.
1996: PSOE Replaced by Partido Popular
The Partido Popular (PP) came to power in Spain in 1996, replacing the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) after scandals involving the government of Felipe González and its role in the "Dirty war" against ETA.
1999: Spain Adopts the Euro
Under Prime Minister José María Aznar, Spain successfully joined the group of countries adopting the euro in 1999.
2000: Immigration Drives Spain's Population Growth
Since 2000, Spain experienced substantial population growth, primarily fueled by immigration, which offset a birth rate below the replacement level. The rapid influx of immigrants, particularly those arriving irregularly by sea, led to noticeable social tensions.
2001: End of Military Conscription
Spain abolished mandatory military conscription in 2001.
January 2002: Spain Adopts the Euro
On January 1, 2002, Spain officially adopted the euro as its currency.
2002: Spain: Leading Destination for Migrants
Between 2002 and 2007, Spain emerged as the largest recipient of migrants within Europe, with its immigrant population more than doubling as 2.5 million people arrived, driven by various factors, including cultural ties, geographical location, and economic opportunities.
2002: Armed Incident over Perejil Island
In 2002, an armed incident occurred between Spain and Morocco over the disputed territory of Perejil Island.
2002: Prestige Oil Spill
The Prestige oil spill, a major environmental disaster, occurred in 2002, severely impacting Spain's Atlantic coastline.
2003: Aznar's Support for the Iraq War
In 2003, Spain's Prime Minister, José María Aznar, aligned with US President George W. Bush in supporting the Iraq War, a decision that sparked significant anti-war sentiment within Spanish society.
March 2004: Madrid Train Bombings
On March 11, 2004, Madrid was hit by the deadliest terrorist attack in Western European history when a series of bombs exploded on commuter trains, killing 191 people and injuring over 1,800.
2005: Spain Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage
Spain took a significant step in 2005 by becoming the third country globally to legalize same-sex marriage.
2005: Regularization Program Boosts Legal Immigration
A regularization program implemented in 2005 led to a substantial increase in Spain's legal immigrant population, with 700,000 individuals gaining legal status.
2006: LOE Law
In 2006, the LOE (Ley Orgánica de Educación), or Fundamental Law for Education, was passed to regulate the current education system in Spain.
2006: Growth of International Tourism
By 2006, Spain's international tourism industry had become the second largest globally in terms of spending, contributing approximately 40 billion euros, or 5% of the nation's GDP.
2007: End of Spain's Peak Migration Period
By 2007, Spain's period of peak migration began to subside after experiencing a significant influx between 2002 and 2007.
2007: Gender Equality Act
In 2007, the Cortes Generales passed the Gender Equality Act, promoting equality between genders in Spanish politics and economics.
2008: Automotive Industry as a Leading Exporter
By 2008, the automotive industry had become the second-largest export industry in Spain.
2008: Spain Grants Citizenship to 84,170 Individuals
In 2008, Spain granted citizenship to a significant number of individuals, totaling 84,170, primarily from Ecuador, Colombia, and Morocco. This wave of naturalizations reflected Spain's historical ties to Latin America and North Africa and the increasing diversity of its population.
2008: UEFA European Championship Victory
In 2008, Spain's national men's football team won the UEFA European Championship.
2008: Spain's "Plan of Voluntary Return"
In response to economic challenges, the Spanish government introduced the "Plan of Voluntary Return" in 2008 to encourage unemployed immigrants from outside the EU to return to their home countries with incentives such as continued unemployment benefits and social security contributions.
2008: Spain: A Top Choice for Relocating Western Europeans
Prior to the economic crisis, the Financial Times reported in 2008 that Spain was the most favored destination for Western Europeans seeking job opportunities within the European Union.
2008: Spanish Property Bubble Bursts
The year 2008 marked the bursting of the Spanish property bubble, which triggered a severe financial crisis that impacted the country's economy from 2008 to 2016.
2008: Spain: A Magnet for Migrants
Until 2008, Spain had the highest immigration rate in absolute numbers within the European Union. The immigrant population surged from 500,000 in 1996 to 5.2 million in 2008, out of a total population of 46 million.
2009: Fossil Fuels Dominate Spain's Energy Mix
In 2009, fossil fuels, including gas, coal, and oil, constituted the primary source of Spain's electricity generation, accounting for 58% of the total, slightly below the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average of 61%.
November 2010: Spain Becomes Solar Power World Leader
In November 2010, Spain became the world leader in solar power, surpassing the United States with its massive power station plant, La Florida, located near Alvarado, Badajoz. This achievement highlighted Spain's commitment to renewable energy sources.
2010: ETA Declares Permanent Ceasefire
In a major development in 2010, ETA, the Basque separatist group, declared a permanent ceasefire, signifying a potential end to their decades-long violent campaign.
2010: Economic Crisis Impacts Immigration
The severe economic crisis that gripped Spain from 2010 to 2011 had a significant impact on immigration patterns, leading to a decline in immigration and an increase in emigration.
2010: FIFA World Cup Victory
The Spanish national men's football team achieved a significant milestone by winning the FIFA World Cup in 2010.
2011: Madrid's Barajas Airport: A Global Hub
In 2011, Madrid's Barajas Airport emerged as a major international aviation hub, handling 50 million passengers and ranking as the 15th busiest airport globally and the fourth busiest within the European Union.
2011: Mariano Rajoy and Austerity Measures
In 2011, Mariano Rajoy's conservative People's Party emerged victorious in the elections, securing 44.6% of the votes. Assuming the role of Prime Minister, Rajoy implemented stringent austerity measures to address the economic crisis and meet the conditions of an EU bailout package.
2011: Mass Exodus from Spain
In 2011, the economic crisis in Spain resulted in a mass exodus, with over half a million people, primarily immigrants, leaving the country due to a lack of job opportunities. This marked a turning point in Spain's immigration trends, as the net migration rate was projected to be negative for the first time in decades.
2011: Romania and Morocco Top Sources of Migrants
Residence permit data from 2011 revealed that Romania and Morocco were the primary sources of migrants to Spain, with over 860,000 Romanians and 770,000 Moroccans residing in the country. Other substantial foreign communities included individuals from Britain, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, and China.
2012: UEFA European Championship Victory
Spain's national men's football team achieved victory in the UEFA European Championship in 2012, marking their third win in the tournament.
2013: High Acceptance of Homosexuality
A 2013 Pew Research Center survey ranked Spain first in acceptance of homosexuality, with 88% of respondents supporting its acceptance.
June 2014: Abdication of King Juan Carlos
On June 19, 2014, King Juan Carlos I of Spain formally relinquished the throne in favor of his son, Felipe VI.
2014: Spain's Electric Car Initiative
In 2014, Spain aimed to have one million electric cars on its roads as part of a government plan to enhance energy efficiency and promote sustainable transportation. This initiative reflected Spain's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.
2014: LOMCE Law
In 2014, the LOE law was partially modified by the LOMCE law (Ley Orgánica para la Mejora de la Calidad Educativa), or Fundamental Law for the Improvement of the Education System, commonly called Ley Wert.
2014: Reign of King Felipe VI
King Felipe VI ascended to the Spanish throne in 2014.
2015: Spain as a Global Leader in Automobile Production
Spain became the 8th largest automobile producer globally in 2015, with approximately 80% of production dedicated to exports.
2015: Increase in Defense Budget
Due to security concerns, Spain increased its defense budget by 1% to 5.71 billion euros (US$7.2 billion) in 2015.
2016: Economic Impact of the Automotive Industry
The automotive industry contributed 8.7% to Spain's GDP and employed around 9% of the manufacturing workforce in 2016.
October 2017: Catalan Independence Referendum
October 2017 witnessed a significant political event in Spain as the Catalan regional government held an independence referendum.
2017: Strength of Spanish Armed Forces
As of 2017, the Spanish armed forces had a strength of 121,900 active personnel and 4,770 reserve personnel.
2017: Record-Breaking Tourism in Spain
Spain welcomed a record-breaking 82 million tourists in 2017, marking its fifth consecutive year of tourism growth.
May 2018: ETA Dissolves
In May 2018, ETA, the Basque separatist group, announced its complete dissolution, marking the end of its violent campaign.
June 2018: Vote of No Confidence Against Rajoy
In a notable political development in June 2018, the Spanish Congress of Deputies passed a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, leading to his removal from office.
September 2018: Representation of Women in Parliament
As of September 1, 2018, women held 39.1% of seats in the Congress of Deputies and 39.9% in the Senate, ranking Spain 16th globally in female representation in the lower house.
2018: CSIC Ranks High Globally
In 2018, the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Spain's leading public scientific research agency, achieved a ranking of 5th among governmental scientific institutions worldwide and 32nd overall in the SCImago Institutions Rankings.
2019: Muslim Population in Spain
A 2019 study by the Union of Islamic Communities of Spain revealed that over 2,100,000 inhabitants, or 4-5% of the total population, had a Muslim background, mostly composed of immigrants and descendants from the Maghreb and other African countries.
2019: Spain's Extensive High-Speed Rail Network
By 2019, Spain boasted the most extensive high-speed rail network in Europe and the second largest globally, trailing only China, with over 3,400 kilometers of tracks connecting major cities at speeds up to 310 km/h.
2019: Forest Landscape Integrity Index
In 2019, Spain ranked 130th globally out of 172 countries in the Forest Landscape Integrity Index with a mean score of 4.23/10.
January 2020: COVID-19 Reaches Spain
The COVID-19 virus was confirmed to have spread to Spain in January 2020, marking the beginning of the pandemic's impact on the country.
2020: Ambitious AVE Programme Expansion
Spain had set ambitious goals for its AVE high-speed rail program, aiming to expand the network to 7,000 kilometers by 2020. This expansion was intended to connect almost all provincial cities to Madrid within three hours and Barcelona within four hours, further enhancing connectivity and reducing travel times.
2020: Study on Religious Beliefs in Spain
In 2020, the Spanish Centre for Sociological Research conducted a study which found that about 61% of Spaniards self-identify as Catholics, 3% other faiths, and about 35% identify with no religion.
March 2021: Euthanasia Legalized
Spain reached a significant milestone in March 2021 by becoming the sixth nation worldwide to legalize active euthanasia, granting individuals the right to end their lives with medical assistance under specific circumstances.
2021: Top Cultural Initiatives
As of 2021, the San Sebastián and Málaga festivals were recognized among the top cultural initiatives in Spain.
2021: Spain's Per Capita Emissions and Climate Goals
In 2021, Spain's per capita greenhouse gas emissions stood at 4.92 tonnes, which was about 1.5 tonnes below the average for the European Union (EU).
2022: Spain's Position in European Car Manufacturing
In 2022, Spain maintained its position as the 2nd largest car manufacturer in Europe, trailing only Germany.
2022: Spain's Low Fertility Rate
In 2022, Spain recorded a total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.16 children per woman, one of the lowest globally and significantly below the replacement rate of 2.1. This low fertility rate has contributed to Spain having one of the world's oldest populations.
2022: Heat-Related Deaths and Desertification Risk
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that in 2022, approximately 4,000 people in Spain lost their lives due to heat-related stress, highlighting the growing impact of extreme heat events on public health.
February 2023: Religious Self-Definition Survey
In February 2023, the CIS (Centro de Investigaciones Sociológicas) conducted a survey on religious self-definition in Spain with a sample size of 3,935 individuals.
July 2023: Pedro Sánchez Forms Coalition Government
Following the general election held on July 23, 2023, Pedro Sánchez of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) successfully formed a new coalition government.
2023: Impact of Climate Change on Spain
In 2023, Spain faces significant challenges due to the climate crisis. The country is experiencing increasingly severe droughts, which are projected to worsen tenfold compared to the current year.
2023: Spain's Global Innovation Index Ranking
In 2023, Spain secured the 29th position in the Global Innovation Index, a testament to the country's innovative capacity.
2023: FIFA Women's World Cup Victory
The Spanish women's national football team emerged victorious in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, solidifying their place as one of only five nations to achieve this feat.
April 2024: Unemployment Rates
In April 2024, Spain's unemployment rate was 12.3%, with a significantly high youth unemployment rate of 26.5%.
2024: Spain's Population Reaches 48.7 Million
In 2024, Spain's population reached 48,692,804, according to the Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), with a population density of 96 people per square kilometer, lower than many Western European countries.
2024: Foreign-Born Population in Spain
In 2024, official Spanish statistics indicated that 6.6 million foreign residents (13.5% of the total population) resided in Spain. This figure encompassed individuals born outside of Spain, totaling 8.9 million, representing 18.31% of the population, highlighting the significant contribution of immigration to Spain's demographic makeup.