National Day of Catalonia

The **National Day of Catalonia** (*Diada Nacional de Catalunya* in Catalan) is celebrated annually on **September 11** in Catalonia, Spain. This day commemorates the fall of Barcelona during the War of the Spanish Succession in 1714, when Catalan forces were defeated by the Bourbon army of King Philip V. The defeat led to the loss of Catalan institutions and freedoms, as the region was integrated into a centralized Spanish state under the Nueva Planta decrees. The holiday serves as a symbol of Catalan identity, culture, and the ongoing struggle for self-determination. It is marked by various events, including political demonstrations, cultural activities, and the laying of flowers at monuments honoring those who fought in 1714, such as the Fossar de les Moreres in Barcelona. The day is also an opportunity for Catalans to express their aspirations for greater autonomy or independence from Spain. The National Day of Catalonia is a public holiday in the region, and it is observed with a mix of solemn remembrance and celebration of Catalan heritage, language, and traditions. It remains a significant and sometimes contentious day, reflecting the complex relationship between Catalonia and the Spanish state.