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Period: Jan 1, 711 to Jan 1, 1492
AL-ANDALUS
Moorish forces (Muslim Arabs from Morocco and Northern Africa) invade the Iberian Peninsula in 711. Over the next seven centuries, They will establish several powerful kingdoms in Southern and Central Spain. -
Nov 1, 1478
LA INQUISICIÓN
Ferdinand of Aragón and Isabella of Castile, the King and Queen of Spain, and Pope Sixtus IV, create the Office of the Spanish Inquisition. This effort to cleanse the Iberian Peninsula of all non-Christian faiths would lead to the conversion, expulsion, torture and death of hundreds of thousands of Jews, Muslims, and other heretics and nonbelievers. -
Jan 1, 1492
LA RECONQUISTA
Early in 1492, Ferdinand and Isabella annex Granada and complete the reconquest of Spanish territory from the Moors. This permanently ends Muslim rule in Iberia. -
Oct 12, 1492
EL NUEVO MUNDO
Flying the flag of the Spanish monarchy, the expedition of Cristopher Columbus first spots land on the Carribean island of San Salvador. -
Don Quijote
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra publishes the first volume of "El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha". Regularly referred to as "the first modern novel," Don Quijote would become of the most important works in Western literature. -
Birth of Francisco Goya
Painter for the Royal Court, Last of the Old Masters, and the first modernist. View all of his works. -
The Spanish-American War Ends
On this day in 1898, The once-mighty Spanish Empire was unofficially ended. Spain signed the Treaty of Paris with the United States of America, ending three months of lopsided war. Spain ceded the last of its territorial possessions in the Americas, and never regained its international prominence. -
Period: to
LA GUERRA CIVIL
For Nearly three years, Nationalist (pro-monarchy) and Republicans pro-democracy) forces fought bitterly in a bloody civil war. In addition to causing the deaths of over 50,000 people, the Nationalist victory led to 36 years of repressive dictatorship in Spain under Nationalist leader General Francisco Franco. Learn more here. -
The Return of the King
After nearly a half-century out of power, the Spanish monarchy returns when Juan Carlos I assumes the throne. Although he was hand-picked to rule by General Francisco Franco, Juan Carlos defies the wishes of the recently deceased dictator and refuses most real power. -
Spain Wins!
In the first FIFA World Cup final played on African soil, Spain defeats Netherlands 1-0 to secure the nation's first World Cup Championship. ¡Viva la furia roja!
