Gibraltar National Day 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

The Moors conquered Gibraltar in 711 A.D. Its name derives from the Spanish translation of an Arabic name granted to the region at the time of the conquest.

Gibraltar National Day is celebrated annually on September 10 as the official national day of the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. This day commemorates the 1967 referendum in which the residents of Gibraltar voted overwhelmingly to remain under British sovereignty.

The background of Gibraltar National Day

The Moors conquered Gibraltar in 711 A.D. Its name derives from the Spanish translation of an Arabic name granted to the region at the time of the conquest. In 1462, when the Moors were expelled from Spain, they came under Spanish control.

During the War of the Spanish Succession in 1704, Anglo-Dutch forces seized Gibraltar from Spain in support of the Habsburg claim to the Spanish throne. The Treaty of Utrecht ceded the territory to Great Britain for all time in 1713. It was designated a British Overseas Territory in 2002.

Since Gibraltar came under British rule, Spain has continued to assert its territorial claims. The Spanish desire for Gibraltar to once again become a part of Spain has not waned, despite the fact that current diplomatic disputes have supplanted the sieges and military assaults of bygone eras.

In response to the Spanish claims, a referendum on sovereignty was held on September 10, 1967, in which voters were asked if they wished to fall under Spanish sovereignty or remain under British sovereignty with self-government institutions. The result was 99.64% in favour of remaining under British dominance, or 100% in favour.

On September 10, 1992, the 25th anniversary of the 1967 referendum on self-determination, the inaugural Gibraltar National Day was conducted in John Mackintosh Square (the Piazza) to encourage public support for independence.

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NATIONAL DAY OF GIBRALTAR ACTIVITIES

Get the children outfitted

Although it is not Fashion Week, there is still enjoyment to be had. The official Gibraltar National Day celebrations commence on Main Street with a children’s fancy dress competition, followed by a street festival in John Mackintosh Square.

Attend the ceremony of Freedom of the City.

The most important event of the day is the Freedom of the City Ceremony, during which the Mayor of Gibraltar reads the Gibraltar National Day Declaration. He then recites the names of the Gibraltar Medallion of Honour recipients.

Enjoy the pyrotechnics and other exciting events

The official ceremonies feature live music, aerial displays, and family-friendly activities. A pyrotechnics display and a rock performance conclude the day.

5 GIBRALTAR FACTS THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND

Gibraltar is the birthplace of fashion designer John Galliano and 2009 Miss World Kaiane Aldorino López, who was crowned in South Africa.

If you decide to elope and get married immediately, Gibraltar may be the ideal location; if you travel in and complete your paperwork the following day, you can get married the day after.

Gibraltar is home to the entire population of feral monkeys in Europe.

Due to a lack of land, Gibraltar’s solitary runway is intersected by the city’s busiest road, which is closed whenever a plane lands or takes off.

The language of Gibraltar, ‘Llanito,’ is a peculiar amalgamation of Andalusian Spanish and English, with some Portuguese and Maltese words, as well as terms from Genoese mediaeval dialect and even some of Hebrew origin.