DAY OF ANDALUSIA - 28th FEBRUARY

The Day of Andalucía (Día de Andalucía), also known as Andalucía Day, marks the anniversary of a referendum held on February 28, 1980. A large majority of voters supported this referendum for Andalucía to become an autonomous community in Spain. A public holiday is held to remember this event in the autonomous community Andalucía (also spelled as Andalusia), Spain, on February 28 each year.

Many people spend the day quietly with family or close friends. However, some people organize or attend private parties with traditional music, dancing, food and drink. Some municipalities hold communal meals with traditional foods, drinks and entertainment. Local politicians may present people with certificates or medals for service to the community.

The Day of Andalucía is a public holiday in the autonomous community of Andalucía on February 28. Public life is generally quiet and many businesses and other organizations are closed. Many stores are closed but some bakers and food stores may be open. Public transport services generally run to a reduced schedule but there may be no services in rural areas.

If February 28 falls on a Sunday, regional or local authorities may move the public holiday to a different date. If February 28 falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, many businesses and organizations are also closed on Monday, February 27, or Friday, February 29 or March 1. The Day of Andalucía is not a public holiday in the rest of Spain on February 28.

Andalucía's flag is widely displayed on the Day of Andalucía. It consists of three equal horizontal bars. The top and lower bars are dark green and the middle bar is white. Andalucía's coat of arms is at the center of the flag. Andalucía's coat of arms consists of an image of the mythical Greek hero Heracles between two columns. The columns represent the Pillars of Heracles. These are the rocks on either side of the Straits of Gibraltar.

You can listen and read in Spanish Andalusia hymn:

   

The Andalusian anthem

The Green and White Flag

returns after centuries of war

to tell of Peace and Hope

under our Land's sunshine.

— Chorus —

Andalusians, Stand up!

Demand Land and Freedom

for a free Andalusia,

Spain and Mankind.

We, Andalusians, want

to become once again

People of Light who to Mankind

gave a Human Soul.

— Chorus —

Andalusians, Stand up!

Demand Land and Freedom

for a free Andalusia,

Spain and Mankind.