History of Spain in Timeline

Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is located in Southwestern Europe with territories in North Africa. It's the largest country in Southern Europe and the fourth-most populous EU member. Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula and includes the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla in Africa. It borders France, Andorra, the Bay of Biscay, Portugal, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Atlantic Ocean. Madrid is its capital and largest city, with other major cities including Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville.

1900: Spain's population stood at 18.6 million

In 1900, Spain's population stood at 18.6 million, marking a significant increase of 2+1⁄2 times since then.

1901: Regionalist League of Catalonia formed

In 1901, the Regionalist League of Catalonia formed.

July 1909: Tragic Week events and repression

In July 1909, the Tragic Week events and repression exemplified the social instability of the time.

1910: Founding of Confederación Nacional del Trabajo

In 1910, the Confederación Nacional del Trabajo was founded, representing the anarcho-syndicalist trend of the labour movement in Spain.

1919: La Canadiense strike

In 1919, the La Canadiense strike led to the first law limiting the working day to eight hours.

1927: Founding of Federación Anarquista Ibérica

In 1927, Federación Anarquista Ibérica was founded.

April 1931: Municipal elections and proclamation of the Republic

In April 1931, municipal elections resulted in a victory for Republican-Socialist candidacies, leading to the king leaving the country and the proclamation of the Republic.

June 1931: Constituent general election

In June 1931, the Constituent general election took place.

October 1931: Constitution passed

In October 1931, a constitution for the country was passed.

1931: Restoration ends

In 1931, the Restoration period (1875–1931) ended.

1931: Spanish effectively became the official language

Spanish has effectively been the official language of Spain since 1931.

1932: Failed coup d'état led by José Sanjurjo

In 1932, a failed coup d'état was led by José Sanjurjo.

1932: Local studios for sound films were created

In 1932, local studios for sound films were created in Spain.

1933: Right triumphed in election

In 1933, the right triumphed in the election.

1934: Revolution of 1934

In 1934, the Revolution took place.

October 1936: Franco sworn in as leader of rebels

On 1 October 1936, General Francisco Franco was sworn in as the supreme leader of the rebels.

1936: Left triumphed in election

In 1936, the left triumphed in the election.

1936: End of the Silver Age of Spanish Culture

In a broader definition encompassing the period from 1868 or 1874 to 1936, the so-called Silver Age of Spanish Culture ensued.

1937: Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS formed

In 1937, the Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS (FET y de las JONS) was formed as the only legal party under Franco's dictatorship.

April 1939: Franco emerged victorious in civil war

On 1 April 1939, the rebel side led by Franco emerged victorious, imposing a dictatorship over the whole country.

1941: Government imposition of dubbing of foreign films

In 1941, the Spanish government imposed the dubbing of foreign films, which accustomed Spanish audiences to watching dubbed films.

1955: Spain joins the United Nations

In 1955, during the Cold War period, Spain joined the United Nations.

1959: Formation of ETA

In 1959, the armed organisation ETA was formed during Franco's rule.

1960: Start of the Spanish Economic Miracle

In 1960, Technocratic reforms laying the groundwork for the Spanish economic miracle, a period of rapid growth began.

1962: Congress of the European Movement in Munich

In 1962, a group of politicians involved in the opposition to Franco's regime inside the country and in exile met in the congress of the European Movement in Munich, where they made a resolution in favour of democracy.

1964: Spain won the UEFA European Championship

In 1964, the country's national men's football team won the UEFA European Championship.

1970: Spain has had seven different educational laws

From 1970 to 2014, Spain has had seven different educational laws (LGE, LOECE, LODE, LOGSE, LOPEG, LOE and LOMCE).

1974: End of Spanish Economic Miracle

By 1974, the period of rapid growth from 1960 known as the Spanish economic miracle, came to an end.

November 1975: Death of Franco

In November 1975, with Franco's death, Juan Carlos succeeded to the position of King of Spain.

1975: End of Franco Regime

Following the death of Franco in 1975, Spain began its transition to democracy, prioritizing diplomatic relations, entry into the European Community, and defining security relations with the West.

1975: Francoist dictatorship ends

In 1975, the Francoist dictatorship came to an end.

March 1976: Massacre of 3 March

In March 1976, the Massacre of 3 March occurred in Vitoria during transition to democracy.

June 1976: Suárez Appointed Prime Minister

In June 1976, King Juan Carlos dismissed Carlos Arias Navarro and appointed Adolfo Suárez as Prime Minister.

1977: Convening of the Constituent Cortes

In 1977 the general election convened the Constituent Cortes for the purpose of drafting and approving the constitution of 1978.

1977: Spanish Amnesty Law

In 1977, the Spanish Amnesty Law let people of Franco's regime continue inside institutions without consequences.

December 1978: New Constitution Approved

After a national referendum on 6 December 1978, 88% of voters approved of the new constitution.

1978: Autonomous Communities Creation

In 1978, after the current constitution came into effect the autonomous communities were created in recognition of the right to self-government of the "nationalities and regions of Spain".

1978: Approval of the Spanish Constitution

In 1978, the new Spanish Constitution was approved and the State devolved much authority to the regions.

1978: Spanish Constitution featured Spanish as castellano

The 1978 Spanish Constitution featured Spanish—as castellano ('Castilian')—and allowed other 'Spanish languages' to become official in their respective autonomous communities.

1978: Constitution protects Spaniards

The Spanish Constitution of 1978 "protect all Spaniards and all the peoples of Spain in the exercise of human rights, their cultures and traditions, languages and institutions".

February 1981: Coup attempt

On 23 February 1981, rebel elements among the security forces seized the Cortes in an attempt to impose a military-backed government.

May 1982: Spain joins NATO

In May 1982 Spain joined NATO, followed by a referendum.

1982: Spain Joins NATO

Since 1982, as a member of NATO, Spain has participated in multilateral international security activities.

1986: Spain joins the European Economic Community

In 1986 Spain joined the European Economic Community, which later became the European Union.

1990: Increase in Foreign Direct Investment

From 1990 to 2000, EU membership coincided with a tripling of foreign direct investment in Spain.

1992: Barcelona hosted Summer Olympics and Paralympics

In 1992, Barcelona hosted the Summer Olympics and Paralympics, stimulating a great deal of interest in sports in the country.

1996: Partido Popular (PP) came to power

In 1996 the PSOE was replaced in government by the Partido Popular (PP).

1996: Immigrant population was 500,000 people

In 1996, the immigrant population in Spain was 500,000 people.

1999: Spain Joins the Eurozone

In 1999, Spain implemented policies and reforms that allowed for its participation in the inaugural launch of the euro.

2000: Increase in Foreign Direct Investment

From 1990 to 2000, EU membership coincided with a tripling of foreign direct investment in Spain.

2000: Spain experienced high population growth due to immigration flows

Since 2000, Spain experienced high population growth as a result of immigration flows, despite a birth rate that is only half the replacement level.

2000: Spanish companies reached multinational status

Since the 1990s, which saw a wave of privatisations, several Spanish companies have reached multinational status and maintain a strong and leading presence in Latin America.

2001: Military Conscription Suppressed

In 2001, military conscription was suppressed in Spain.

January 2002: Spain adopts the euro

On 1 January 2002, Spain fully adopted the euro.

2002: Spain was Europe's largest absorber of migrants

From 2002 to 2007, Spain was Europe's largest absorber of migrants, with its immigrant population more than doubling as 2.5 million people arrived.

2002: Perejil Island Armed Incident

In 2002, Spain and Morocco were involved in an armed incident over the Perejil Island, a small, uninhabited rocky islet.

2002: Prestige oil spill

In 2002, the Prestige oil spill occurred with big ecological consequences along Spain's Atlantic coastline.

2003: José María Aznar supported US president George W. Bush in the Iraq War

In 2003 José María Aznar supported US president George W. Bush in the Iraq War.

March 2004: Madrid train bombings

In March 2004 a local Islamist terrorist group inspired by Al-Qaeda carried out the largest terrorist attack in Western European history when they killed 191 people and wounded more than 1,800 others by bombing commuter trains in Madrid.

2005: Regularisation programme increased the legal immigrant population by 700,000 people

In 2005 alone, a regularisation programme increased the legal immigrant population in Spain by 700,000 people.

2005: Spain legalised same sex marriage

In 2005, the Spanish government legalised same sex marriage, becoming the third country worldwide to do so.

2006: Current education system regulated by LOE

The current education system in Spain is regulated by the 2006 educational law, LOE (Ley Orgánica de Educación), also known as the Fundamental Law for Education.

2007: Spain was Europe's largest absorber of migrants

From 2002 to 2007, Spain was Europe's largest absorber of migrants, with its immigrant population more than doubling as 2.5 million people arrived.

2007: Start of Global Financial Crisis

In 2007, Spain was among the countries hit hardest by the global financial crisis and subsequent euro-zone debt crisis.

2007: Gender Equality Act Approved

In 2007, the Cortes Generales approved the Gender Equality Act aimed at furthering equality between genders in Spanish political and economic life.

2008: Spanish property bubble burst

In 2008 the bursting of the Spanish property bubble led to the 2008–16 Spanish financial crisis.

2008: Spain granted citizenship to 84,170 persons

In 2008, Spain granted citizenship to 84,170 persons, primarily to individuals from Ecuador, Colombia, and Morocco.

2008: Global Financial Crisis

In 2008, Spain was among the countries hit hardest by the global financial crisis and subsequent euro-zone debt crisis.

2008: Spain was the most favoured destination for Western Europeans

In 2008, prior to the economic crisis, Spain was the most favoured destination for Western Europeans considering a move from their own country.

2008: Government instituted a "Plan of Voluntary Return"

In 2008, the Spanish government instituted a "Plan of Voluntary Return" to encourage unemployed immigrants from outside the EU to return to their home countries.

2008: Spain won the UEFA European Championship

In 2008, the country's national men's football team won the UEFA European Championship.

2008: Immigrant population reached 5.2 million

In 2008, the number of immigrants in Spain had grown to 5.2 million out of a total population of 46 million.

2009: Fossil fuels generated 58% of Spain's electricity

In 2009, fossil fuels generated 58% of Spain's electricity, slightly below the OECD average. Nuclear power contributed 19%, while wind and hydro each provided about 12%.

November 2010: Wind energy reached a historic peak

In November 2010, wind energy in Spain reached a historic peak, covering 53% of mainland electricity demand, which was equivalent to the energy generated by 14 nuclear reactors.

2010: ETA announced its permanent cease of violence

In 2010, ETA announced its permanent cease of violence.

2010: Spain won the FIFA World Cup

In 2010, the country's national men's football team won the FIFA World Cup.

2010: Sharp and prolonged economic crisis

The sharp and prolonged economic crisis from 2010 to 2011, resulted in tens of thousands of immigrants leaving the country due to lack of jobs.

2011: Residence permit data

According to residence permit data for 2011, the largest foreign communities in Spain included Romanians (over 860,000), Moroccans (about 770,000), British (approximately 390,000), and Ecuadorians (360,000).

2011: People's Party won the election

In 2011, Mariano Rajoy's conservative People's Party won the election with 44.6% of votes.

2011: More than half a million people left Spain

In 2011, more than half a million people left Spain, and the net migration rate was expected to be negative.

2012: Spain won the UEFA European Championship

In 2012, the country's national men's football team won the UEFA European Championship.

2013: Acceptance of Homosexuality

In 2013, Pew Research rated Spain first in acceptance of homosexuality, with 88% agreeing it should be accepted.

June 2014: Juan Carlos abdicated

On 19 June 2014, the monarch, Juan Carlos, abdicated in favour of his son, who became Felipe VI.

2014: Spain aims to put one million electric cars on the road

By 2014, Spain aimed to have one million electric cars on the road as part of a government plan to save energy and boost energy efficiency.

2014: End of Protracted Recession

In 2014, Spain endured a protracted recession that persisted through 2014.

2014: LOE partially modified by the newer and controversial LOMCE law

In 2014, the LOE was partially modified by the newer and controversial LOMCE law (Ley Orgánica para la Mejora de la Calidad Educativa), also known as the Fundamental Law for the Improvement of the Education System.

2015: Defense Budget Increase

In 2015, the Spanish defense budget increased by 1% to 5.71 billion euros (US$7.2 billion) due to security concerns.

October 2017: Catalan Independence Referendum and Declaration

In October 2017, a Catalan independence referendum was held, and the Catalan parliament voted to unilaterally declare independence from Spain, forming a Catalan Republic. On the same day, the Spanish Senate discussed and approved direct rule over Catalonia, as requested by the Spanish Prime Minister, and dissolved the Catalan parliament, calling for a new election. No country recognized Catalonia as a separate state.

2017: Spanish Armed Forces Strength

In 2017, the Spanish armed forces had a strength of 121,900 active personnel and 4,770 reserve personnel.

May 2018: Dissolution of ETA

In May 2018, the armed organisation ETA dissolved.

June 2018: Motion of No-Confidence Against Rajoy

In June 2018, the Congress of Deputies passed a motion of no-confidence against Rajoy, replacing him with PSOE leader Pedro Sánchez.

September 2018: Women in Parliament

As of 1 September 2018, 137 of the 350 members of the Congress were women (39.1%), while in the Senate, there were 101 women out of 266 (39.9%), placing Spain 16th on a list of countries ranked by proportion of women in the lower House.

2018: CSIC ranked as 5th top governmental scientific institution worldwide

In 2018, the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) was ranked as the 5th top governmental scientific institution worldwide and 32nd overall.

2019: There were more than 2,100,000 inhabitants of Muslim background living in Spain

A 2019 study indicated that there were more than 2,100,000 inhabitants of Muslim background living in Spain, accounting for 4–5% of the total population.

2019: Forest Landscape Integrity Index Ranking

In 2019, the Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score was 4.23/10, ranking Spain 130th globally out of 172 countries.

2019: First Coalition Government Formed

In 2019, the first ever coalition government in Spain was formed between PSOE and Unidas Podemos.

January 2020: COVID-19 Confirmed in Spain

In January 2020, the COVID-19 virus was confirmed to have spread to Spain, causing life expectancy to drop by more than a year.

2020: Religion in Spain

According to a 2020 study, about 61% of Spaniards self-identify as Catholics, 3% with other faiths, and about 35% identify with no religion.

March 2021: Euthanasia Legalized

In March 2021, Spain became the sixth nation in the world to make active euthanasia legal.

2021: Official survey

According to an official survey complementary to the 2021 census, Spanish is considered the first language by 81.53% of the population. Catalan/Valencian is spoken by 10.50%, Galician by 3.77%, and Basque by 1.42%.

2021: Festivals of San Sebastián and Málaga are ranked among the top cultural initiatives

As of 2021, the festivals of San Sebastián and Málaga are ranked among the top cultural initiatives in Spain.

July 2023: Sánchez Forms Coalition Government

Following the general election on 23 July 2023, prime minister Pedro Sánchez once again formed a coalition government, this time with Sumar.

2023: Spanish Companies in Fortune Global 500

As of 2023, Spain was home to eight of the 500 largest companies in the world by annual revenue, according to the Fortune Global 500.

2023: Automobile Production

In 2023, Spain produced 2.45 million automobiles and ranked eighth in the world and second in Europe by total number.

2023: Spain's women's national team were champions of the FIFA World Cup

In 2023, Spain's women's national team were champions of the FIFA World Cup, becoming one of only five nations to win a Women's World Cup.

2023: Madrid airport was the 15th busiest airport in the world

In 2023, the airport of Madrid (Barajas) handled 60 million passengers, making it the world's 15th busiest airport and the third busiest in the European Union. The Barcelona (El Prat) airport also saw 50 million passengers in 2023, becoming the world's 30th-busiest airport.

2023: Spain's average total fertility rate was 1.12 children born per woman

In 2023, the average total fertility rate (TFR) across Spain was 1.12 children born per woman.

2023: Tourism Contribution to GDP

In 2023, tourism in Spain contributed to 12.3% of Spain's GDP.

2024: Global Peace Index Ranking

According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, Spain is the 23rd most peaceful country in the world.

2024: Fastest Growing Major Advanced Economy

As of 2024, Spain is the fastest-growing major advanced economy in the world, growing nearly four times higher than the eurozone average.

2024: Spain ranked 28th in the Global Innovation Index

In 2024, Spain was ranked 28th in the Global Innovation Index.

2024: Second Most Visited Country

In 2024, Spain was the second most visited country in the world, recording 94 million tourists.

2024: Spain won the UEFA European Championship

In 2024, the country's national men's football team won the UEFA European Championship.

2024: First Non-Independentist Catalan Regional President Elected

In 2024, the first non-independentist Catalan regional president in over a decade, Salvador Illa, was elected, normalising constitutional and institutional relations.

January 2025: Unemployment Rate

In January 2025, Spain's unemployment rate stood at 10.61 percent, and the youth unemployment rate stood at 24.90 percent.

February 2025: Spanish high-speed rail network is the longest HSR network in Europe

As of February 2025, the Spanish high-speed rail network is the longest in Europe, with 3,973 km, and the second longest worldwide after China.

2025: There were 6.8 million foreign residents in Spain

In 2025, Spain had 6.8 million foreign residents, representing 13.9% of the population, while citizens born outside of Spain totaled 9.3 million, accounting for 19.11% of the total population.