If you live in Spain long enough, you’ll eventually notice a red, yellow and purple flag appearing on balconies or at small gatherings in April. It marks the day in 1931 when Spain became a republic after King Alfonso XIII left the country.
What happened on 14th April 1931?
On 14th April 1931, the Second Spanish Republic was proclaimed following municipal elections held two days earlier. Although those elections were local, the results were widely interpreted as a rejection of the monarchy in major cities.
King Alfonso XIII left Spain shortly afterwards, and a provisional republican government was formed.
The new Republic introduced significant reforms:
- A secular state separating church and government
- Expansion of public education
- Women’s suffrage
- Regional autonomy statutes, notably for Catalonia
The Republic lasted until 1939, when General Franco’s forces won the Spanish Civil War and established a dictatorship.
Is 14th April a public holiday in Spain?
The Anniversary of the Second Spanish Republic is not an official public holiday in Spain today. In practical terms, daily life carries on. If you didn’t know the date had historical significance, you might not notice anything at all.
Spain’s official national public holidays include 12th October, which is National Day, and 6th December, Constitution Day.
How is the anniversary of the Second Spanish Republic commemorated today?
Commemorations are generally low-key and vary by city and region. You’re more likely to see something in larger urban centres than in small towns.
Typical forms of remembrance include:
- Small demonstrations or civic gatherings
- Floral tributes at historic sites
- Talks or exhibitions organised by cultural associations
- The display of the republican tricolour flag
The flag is an important symbol. Unlike Spain’s current red and yellow flag, the republican version includes a third stripe in purple. You’ll sometimes hear it referred to as the bandera republicana.
Key vocabulary to understand
If you follow Spanish news or overhear conversations in April, these terms tend to crop up:
- Segunda República Española – The Second Spanish Republic, the democratic regime that governed Spain between 1931 and 1939.
- 14 de abril – 14 April, the date the Republic was proclaimed in 1931.
- Bandera republicana – The republican tricolour flag (red, yellow and purple), still used symbolically today at commemorations.
- Monarquía parlamentaria – Parliamentary monarchy, Spain’s current political system under King Felipe VI.
- Guerra Civil Española – The Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), which ended the Republic and led to Franco’s dictatorship.
Stay in the know about living in Spain as a foreigner—get our weekly newsletter for the latest travel, legal, and lifestyle news.
