The city of Arrecife hosted this Saturday the institutional event for the National Holiday Day 2026, which had the solemn raising of the Flag of Spain as its central theme. The commemoration was jointly organized by the Air and Space Army, through the Lanzarote Air Base, and the Arrecife City Council.
The event, which began at 12:00 PM on the Vargas avenue promenade, was presided over by the head colonel of the Lanzarote Air Base, Carlos Jiménez Andrés. The event was attended by a representation of the main civil and military authorities of the island, as well as numerous residents and visitors who joined the celebration in front of the City Hall.
During his speech, Colonel Jiménez highlighted the significance of this anniversary for the Armed Forces, pointing out that the events held in the days before and after the National Holiday Day seek to give visibility and prominence to their work in the service of Spain and the Spanish people.
The colonel explained that the flag raising shared this Saturday with the citizens is an exact replica of the daily one carried out in all establishments of any of the armies and the Navy. "It is a demonstration of the inexhaustible service to Spain of all military personnel who, as members of society itself, voluntarily offer our lives in the service of the nation, its territory, and its people," he affirmed.
Likewise, the head of the Lanzarote Air Base pointed out that "the flag is the symbol that unites everything that represents the history, culture, and customs of all of us who live under its protection."
The ceremony concluded with the raising of the national flag to the strains of the Hymn of Spain.
The force that paid honors during the ceremony was composed of personnel from the units of the Air and Space Army located on the Island of Lanzarote, Lanzarote Air Base, and Air Surveillance Squadron No. 22.
Origin and history of the National Holiday
The origin of the National Holiday dates back to September 23, 1892, when Queen Regent Maria Christina of Habsburg-Lorraine promulgated a Royal Decree in San Sebastián, in which October 12, 1892, was declared a National Holiday, in commemoration of the Discovery of America, as well as, for 134 years this National Holiday has been celebrated, which recalls the transcendence of the Discovery of America, and the courage and determination of all those who were part of that adventure in the new world.
Complementary activities in the Canary Islands
Both the flag-raising this Saturday, and the other complementary activities https://www.defensa.gob.es/12octubre/ related to the celebrations of the National Holiday that the military units in the Canary Islands will organize, are totally open to public participation.
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