Catalunya celebrates today its "diada", National Day. From Hotel Acapulco we want to explain you the history related to this special date for us.

It was 11th September 1714, during the War of Succession, when people defended one last time Barcelona after 14 months of siege between supporters of Felipe de Borbón (Castilla crown) and supporters of Archduke Carlos de Austria (Aragón crown).

That 11th September, catalan army directed by “Conseller en cap” Rafael de Casanova hit out against army of Berwick Duke, making them stop, first, and go back, little after. But Rafael de Casanova was injured by a bullet and the attack was stopped. At the beginning of the afternoon they started negotiations to capitulate against the Borbon army.

After Felipe V victory, his possessions were added up to the two crowns, Castilla and Aragon, inside of that, was Catalunya. The institutions and freedom of Catalunya were revoked.

In 1980 the new Parlament of Catalunya promulgate the first Law, declarating 11th September as National Day. From then every 11th September is an institutional, festive and reivindicative Day. In every public events you can hear “Els Segadors” National Hymn of Catalunya and people hang “estelades” and “senyeres” (catalan flags) on the balcony. You can also enjoy of castellers and sardanes performances and flower offer to Rafael de Casanova monument in Barcelona and Moià, where he was born.

This year Catalunya celebrates 300 years of that 11th September 1714 with the “Via Catalana”, a human chain joining all the country from the south to the north. The aim, claim for the unit of Catalunya over the World and the purpose of independence consultation to be done this year, 300 years after that 11th September 1714.

Visca Catalunya!!