History of Spain in Timeline
Spain, officially the Kingdom of Spain, is a country located in Southern and Western Europe, with territories extending into North Africa. It holds the southernmost point of continental Europe and ranks as the largest country in Southern Europe and the fourth-most populous member of the European Union. Its territory encompasses most of the Iberian Peninsula, the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, and the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla. It shares borders with France, Andorra, and Portugal. Madrid is the capital and largest city, while other significant urban centers include Barcelona, Valencia, and Seville.
1900: Spain's population at 18.6 million
In 1900, Spain's population stood at 18.6 million.
1901: Formation of Regionalist League of Catalonia
In 1901, the Regionalist League of Catalonia was formed, marking the rise of Catalanism and Vasquism alongside other nationalisms and regionalisms in Spain.
July 1909: Tragic Week events and repression
In July 1909, the Tragic Week events and the subsequent repression exemplified the social instability of the time in Spain.
1910: Founding of Confederación Nacional del Trabajo
In 1910, the Confederación Nacional del Trabajo, a trade union in the anarcho-syndicalist trend of the labor movement in Spain, was founded.
1919: First law limiting the working day to eight hours
In 1919, as a result of the La Canadiense strike, the first law was enacted limiting the working day to eight hours.
1927: Founding of Federación Anarquista Ibérica
In 1927, the Federación Anarquista Ibérica was founded, continuing the anarcho-syndicalist trend of the labor movement in Spain.
April 1931: Municipal elections and proclamation of the Republic
In April 1931, specifically on April 12, the municipal elections resulted in a victory for Republican-Socialist candidacies, leading to the king's departure and the proclamation of the Republic on April 14.
June 1931: Constituent general election
In June 1931, a Constituent general election was held, leading to the passage of a constitution in October 1931.
October 1931: Constitution passed
In October 1931, a constitution was passed for the country, following the June 1931 Constituent general election.
1931: End of Restoration period
In 1931, the Restoration period (1875–1931) ended.
1931: Castilian is the official language of Spain
Since 1931, Spanish has effectively been the official language of the entire country.
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 created
In 1932, local studios for sound films were created in Spain.
1933: Triumph of the right in elections
In 1933, the right triumphed in the elections.
October 1936: Franco Sworn in as Leader
On October 1, 1936, General Francisco Franco was sworn in as the supreme leader of the rebels during the Spanish Civil War.
1936: Triumph of the left in elections
In 1936, the left triumphed in the elections.
1936: 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: Formation of Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS
In 1937, the only legal party under Franco's dictatorship, the Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS (FET y de las JONS), was formed.
April 1939: End of Spanish Civil War
On April 1, 1939, the rebel side led by Franco emerged victorious in the Spanish Civil War, imposing a dictatorship over the whole country.
1941: Government imposes dubbing of foreign films
In 1941, the Spanish government imposed the dubbing of foreign films, influencing Spanish audiences' viewing habits.
1955: Spain joins the United Nations
In 1955, during the Cold War period, Spain joined the United Nations.
1959: ETA formed
In 1959, during Franco's rule, the armed organisation ETA was formed.
1960: Start of Spanish Economic Miracle
In 1960, technocratic reforms were enacted, laying the groundwork for the Spanish economic miracle.
1962: Congress of the European Movement in Munich
In 1962, a group of politicians involved in the opposition to Franco's regime met in the congress of the European Movement in Munich, where they made a resolution in favor of democracy.
1964: UEFA European Championship
In 1964, Spain's national men's football team won the UEFA European Championship.
1970: Seven different educational laws in Spain
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
The Spanish economic miracle, a period of rapid growth from 1960, ended in 1974.
November 1975: Death of Franco and succession of Juan Carlos
In November 1975, with Franco's death, Juan Carlos succeeded to the position of King of Spain.
1975: End of Franco's Rule
After the death of Franco in 1975, Spain's foreign policy priorities were to break out of diplomatic isolation and expand diplomatic relations.
1975: End of Francoist dictatorship
In 1975, the Francoist dictatorship came to an end.
March 1976: Massacre of 3 March in Vitoria
The Massacre of 3 March 1976 occurred in Vitoria during the transition to democracy.
June 1976: Adolfo Suárez Appointed Prime Minister
In June 1976, King Juan Carlos dismissed Carlos Arias Navarro and appointed Adolfo Suárez as Prime Minister.
1977: Amnesty Law
In 1977, the Spanish Amnesty Law let people of Franco's regime continue inside institutions without consequences.
1977: General Election Convened
In 1977, the resulting general election convened the Constituent Cortes to draft and approve the constitution of 1978.
December 1978: New Constitution Approved
After a national referendum on December 6, 1978, 88% of voters approved the new constitution.
1978: Autonomous Communities Created
In 1978, after the current constitution came into effect, Spain's autonomous communities were created to recognize the right to self-government.
1978: Approval of the new Spanish Constitution
In 1978, the new Spanish Constitution was approved, restoring democracy and devolving authority to the regions.
1978: Spanish Constitution features Castilian
The 1978 Spanish Constitution features Spanish as castellano ('Castilian').
1978: Spanish Constitution Protects Rights
The Spanish Constitution of 1978 "protects all Spaniards and all the peoples of Spain in the exercise of human rights, their cultures and traditions, languages and institutions".
February 1981: Attempted coup d'état
On February 23, 1981, rebel elements among the security forces seized the Cortes in an attempt to impose a military-backed government. King Juan Carlos successfully ordered the coup plotters to surrender.
May 1982: Spain joined NATO
In May 1982, Spain joined NATO, followed by a referendum after a strong social opposition.
1982: Spain Joins NATO
Since 1982, Spain has been a member of NATO and has established itself as a participant in multilateral international security activities.
1986: Spain Joins EEC
In 1986, Spain joined the European Economic Community (now the European Union).
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: Summer Olympics and Paralympics hosted in Barcelona
In 1992, the Summer Olympics and Paralympics were hosted in Barcelona, stimulating interest in sports in the country.
1996: Partido Popular (PP) came to power
In 1996, the Partido Popular (PP) replaced the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) in government after scandals around the Dirty war against ETA.
1996: Number of immigrants at 500,000 in Spain
In 1996, the number of immigrants in Spain was approximately 500,000.
1998: Immigration increases in Spain
In 1998, immigrants accounted for 1.6% of the population in Spain.
1999: Spain Joins the Euro
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.
2001: Military Conscription Suppressed
In 2001, military conscription was suppressed in Spain.
January 2002: Spain adopts the euro
On January 1, 2002, Spain fully adopted the euro.
2002: Spain is top recipient of migrants
From 2002 to 2007, Spain was Europe's top recipient of migrants, with 2.5 million arrivals.
2002: Perejil Island Incident
In 2002, Spain and Morocco were involved in an armed incident over 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: Spain supported US in Iraq War
In 2003, José María Aznar supported US president George W. Bush in the Iraq War, leading to a strong anti-war movement in Spanish society.
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 by bombing commuter trains in Madrid, killing 191 people.
2005: Spain has second highest immigration rate in EU
In 2005, Spain had the second-highest immigration rate in the European Union.
2005: Legalisation of same sex marriage
In 2005, the Spanish government legalised same sex marriage, becoming the third country worldwide to do so.
2006: Educational law LOE regulates education in Spain
The current state education system in Spain is regulated by the 2006 educational law, LOE (Ley Orgánica de Educación), or Fundamental Law for the Education.
2007: Spain is top recipient of migrants
From 2002 to 2007, Spain was Europe's top recipient of migrants, with 2.5 million arrivals.
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: Immigrant numbers rise to 5.2 million in Spain
By 2008, the number of immigrants in Spain had grown to 5.2 million.
2008: Financial crisis
Due to the 2008 financial crisis the proportion of Spain's foreign born population declined.
2008: UEFA European Championship
In 2008, Spain's national men's football team won the UEFA European Championship.
2008: Spain favoured destination for Western Europeans
In 2008, the Financial Times reported that Spain was the most favoured destination for Western Europeans considering a move from their own country.
2008: Spanish Property Bubble Bursts
In 2008, the bursting of the Spanish property bubble triggered the 2008–2014 Spanish financial crisis, leading to high unemployment.
2009: Immigration exceeds 12% of population in Spain
By 2009, immigration to Spain had risen to over 12% of the population.
2009: Fossil fuels provide major power generation in Spain
In 2009, fossil fuels accounted for 58% of Spain's electricity generation, while nuclear power contributed 19%, and wind and hydro each provided about 12%.
November 2010: Spain becomes solar power world leader
In November 2010, Spain overtook the United States to become the world leader in solar power with the La Florida power station, located near Alvarado, Badajoz. Additionally, wind energy in Spain reached a peak on November 9, 2010, covering 53% of the mainland's electricity demand.
2010: FIFA World Cup
In 2010, Spain's national men's football team won the FIFA World Cup.
2010: ETA announced permanent cease of violence
In 2010, the ETA announced its permanent cease of violence.
2011: People's Party Wins Election
In 2011, Mariano Rajoy's conservative People's Party won the election with 44.6% of votes, leading to austerity measures being implemented.
2011: Half a million people leave Spain
In 2011, more than half a million people left Spain, marking the first net migration rate in decades.
2012: UEFA European Championship
In 2012, Spain's national men's football team won the UEFA European Championship.
2013: Acceptance of Homosexuality
In 2013, a Pew Research study rated Spain first in acceptance of homosexuality, with 88% of those surveyed saying it should be accepted.
June 2014: Abdication of Juan Carlos
On June 19, 2014, King Juan Carlos abdicated the throne in favor of his son, who then became King Felipe VI.
2014: Spain aims for one million electric cars
By 2014, Spain aimed to have one million electric cars on its roads as part of a governmental initiative to save energy and increase energy efficiency.
2014: LOE modified by 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).
2014: End of Financial Crisis
Spain was affected by the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent European debt crisis, leading to the 2008–2014 Spanish financial crisis, which ended in 2014.
2014: Immigrant numbers decrease in Spain
Until 2014, the number of immigrants decreased in Spain due to the economic crisis.
2015: Net immigration increases in Spain
By 2015, net immigration had increased in Spain, marking the country as a major immigration destination once again.
2015: Defense Budget Increase
In 2015, the Spanish defense budget was 5.71 billion euros (US$7.2 billion), a 1% increase due to security concerns.
October 2017: Catalan Independence Referendum and Declaration
In October 2017, Catalonia held an independence referendum and declared independence from Spain, forming a Catalan Republic. The Spanish Senate approved direct rule, leading to the dissolution of the Catalan parliament and new elections. No country recognized Catalonia as a separate state.
2017: 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 organization ETA dissolved.
June 2018: Motion of No-Confidence Against Rajoy
In June 2018, the Congress of Deputies passed a motion of no-confidence against Mariano Rajoy, replacing him with PSOE leader Pedro Sánchez.
September 2018: Women in Parliament
As of September 1, 2018, 39.1% of the members of the Congress and 39.9% of the Senate were women, placing Spain 16th on the Inter-Parliamentary Union list of countries ranked by proportion of women in the lower house.
2018: CSIC ranked as a top scientific institution
In 2018, the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) was ranked as the 5th top governmental scientific institution worldwide in the SCImago Institutions Rankings.
2019: Over 2.1 million inhabitants of Muslim background in Spain
A study in 2019 showed 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
In 2019, Spain had a Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 4.23/10, ranking it 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: Most Spaniards identify as Catholic
According to a 2020 study, about 61% of Spaniards self-identify as Catholics, while 35% identify with no religion.
2020: Castile and Leon leader in rural tourism
Since 2020, Castile and Leon has been the Spanish leader in rural tourism due to its well-preserved environmental and architectural heritage.
March 2021: Euthanasia Legalized
In March 2021, Spain became the sixth nation in the world to make active euthanasia legal.
2021: Spanish is the first language for most people
According to a survey complementary to the 2021 census, Spanish is considered as first language by 81.53% of the population.
2021: San Sebastián and Málaga festivals ranked among top cultural initiatives
As of 2021, the festivals of San Sebastián and Málaga are ranked among the top cultural initiatives in the country.
July 2023: Sánchez Forms Coalition Government Again
Following the general election on July 23, 2023, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez formed a coalition government 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. These include Banco Santander, Iberdrola and Telefónica. Twenty Spanish companies are listed in the 2023 Forbes Global 2000 ranking.
2023: Automotive Industry Output
In 2023, Spain produced 2.45 million automobiles, ranking eighth in the world and second in Europe. 89 percent of vehicles and 60% of auto-parts manufactured in Spain were exported worldwide, with a trade surplus of €18.8bn.
2023: Spain's fertility rate one of the lowest
In 2023, Spain's average total fertility rate (TFR) was 1.12 children born per woman, making it one of the lowest in the world.
2023: FIFA Women's World Cup
In 2023, Spain's women's national team were champions of the FIFA Women's World Cup.
2023: Madrid's Barajas Airport is the 15th busiest airport in the world
In 2023, the airport of Madrid (Barajas) saw 60 million passengers, making it the world's 15th busiest airport and the European Union's third busiest.
2023: Tourism in Spain contributes significantly to GDP
In 2023, tourism in Spain, including both foreign and domestic contributions, accounted for 12.3% of the country's GDP, underscoring its significant impact on the national economy.
December 2024: Moroccans largest immigrant group in Spain
As of December 2024, the largest source of immigrants in Spain was Morocco, with over 1 million residents.
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: Catalan Regional President Elected
In 2024, Salvador Illa, the first non-independentist Catalan regional president in over a decade, was elected.
2024: Spain second most visited country
In 2024, Spain became the second most visited country globally, with 94 million tourists. International tourist expenditure in Spain that year reached approximately 126 billion euros. The World Tourism Organisation's headquarters are located in Madrid.
2024: Spain ranked 28th in Global Innovation Index
In 2024, Spain was ranked 28th in the Global Innovation Index.
2024: UEFA European Championship
In 2024, Spain's national men's football team won the UEFA European Championship.
2024: Barcelona's El Prat Airport is the world's 30th busiest airport
In 2024, the airport of Barcelona (El Prat) handled 50 million passengers, making it the world's 30th-busiest airport.
January 2025: Unemployment Rate
In January 2025, Spain's unemployment rate stood at 10.61 percent, with youth unemployment at 24.90 percent.
February 2025: Spanish high-speed rail network longest in Europe
As of February 2025, the Spanish high-speed rail network is the longest HSR network in Europe, with 3,973 km. The trains operate at commercial speeds up to 330 km/h.
2025: Over 9.3 million foreign-born people in Spain
According to official Spanish statistics (INE), as of 2025, there were over 9.3 million foreign-born people in Spain, making up 19.11% of the population.
2025: Spain's population recorded at over 49 million
In 2025, Spain's population was recorded at 49,153,849 people, as registered by Spain's Instituto Nacional de Estadística.
2026: End of Next Generation EU Period
The European Commission economic recovery package Next Generation EU, created to support the EU member states to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, will be in use in the period 2021–2026.
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