Like any other Autonomous Community in Spain, the autonomous city of Ceuta has its own holiday that is celebrated every year in the month of September, but on what day? let’s meet now When is Ceuta Day and why is it celebrated?
When is Ceuta Day?
Although considered a Spanish autonomous city since 1995, Ceuta It has always been a key city for many other countries. Its location bordering Morocco and also located along the border between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean on the African shore of the Strait of Gibraltar, makes it a transition and transport enclave that for centuries has given rise to conflicts over territory.
Perhaps the most important or outstanding of all was the one that took place in 1415 when Portugal took over Ceuta, to later appoint a first governor of the City. this happened on September 2 and this is the day chosen to celebrate Ceuta Day every year.
The The date of said celebration was established in 1998 and since then every September 2 the Day of Ceuta is celebrated, which falls on Thursday in this 2021, although there is some conflict in this regard, since some Ceutís consider that the city’s national day should be September 13 in commemoration of September 13, 1640 when Ceuta decided to become part of Spain, although several years would pass before this happened and for that in some way the conquest of territories beyond our borders would begin again, giving way to how in the 19th century the so-called Imperialism was practiced to “distribute” the world.
Why is Ceuta Day celebrated?
As we have mentioned, due to its location Ceuta has always been considered an enclave on the North African coast surrounded by the Kingdom of Morocco.
Since ancient times, this city has been an important strategic location in the Strait of Gibraltar, giving whoever ruled the city control over who sailed between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. This has meant a colorful past, the city having passed through the hands of the Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals and even the Byzantine Empire. All this until the city fell under Muslim control in the 8th century.
But it was in late August 1415, when King John I of Portugal led an assault that would become known as the Conquest of Ceuta. The Portuguese conquered the city with surprising ease. Something that was even done almost fortuitously and without much thought to the point that there is a legend that when the Portuguese went to conquer Ceuta they did not take a flag with them to place it on top of the city, but fortunately, someone from the Portuguese army did carry the flag of Lisbon, so they decided to use it thinking it would be a great design for Ceuta.
To the flag that was used the coat of arms of Portugal was also added right in the center and in this way, the flag of Ceuta was established, which is still used today.
It was on the date of August 21 that Ceuta “fell” at the hands of the Portuguese, but it was not until August 22 when King Juan I appointed Pedro de Meneseswho was Count of Vila Real, as the first governor of the city of Ceutaa fact that, as we have already told you, is the one that commemorates the celebration of Ceuta Day (now we explain why it is on September 2 and not August 22).
Two centuries passed in which Spain and Portugal “fought” over Ceuta, and although it still belonged to Portugal, finally it was ceded to King Carlos II of Spain on January 1, 1668 after signing the Treaty of Lisbon in which, on the other hand, Portugal was recognized as an independent country.
Why is Ceuta Day celebrated on September 2 and not August 22?
On the other hand, we have to clarify that although Ceuta Day is celebrated on September 2, we have already commented on how it was on August 22 when the city had its first governor appointed by the King of Portugal. But in 1582 Spain and Portugal adopted the Gregorian calendar so the date was advanced ten days and hence the celebration for what happened on August 22, 1415, will jump to September 2.
The history of Ceuta as a “Spanish city”
Ceuta, an ancient Roman colony With a population of 84,000, it measures only about 18 square kilometers (seven square miles) and lies directly across from Spain, on the strategic Strait of Gibraltar.
It was captured by the Arabs, then the Portuguese and as we have told, it has been under Spanish sovereignty since 1640.
Along with Melilla, Ceuta was invaded and conquered as part of a strategy of the Catholic kings of establishing the so-called “outposts of Christianity” on the African continent after the Spanish expulsion of the Moorish Muslims and Jews from Spain in 1492.
Claimed by Morocco, Since the territories of Melilla and Ceuta are part of their natural geographic extension in North Africa, the two cities have long been a flashpoint in diplomatic relations between Madrid and Rabat, and Madrid insists that both are parties. comprehensive from Spain.
Both port cities have developed as military and commercial centers that link Africa with Europe, and since the 1990s they have enjoyed a status similar to that of other Spanish autonomous areas such as the Basque Country and Catalonia.
Ironically, they now appear to be outposts for would-be illegal African immigrants trying to cross into the EU. In fact, this same year there were several massive attempts to cross migrants, which almost almost led to a diplomatic crisis that finally did not fully explode.
To avoid this type of migration Ceuta (as well as Melilla) is protected by fortified fences with barbed wire, video cameras and watchtowers, to the fortress of Europe but in Africa. This has sadly meant that many migrants have died or been injured trying to cross the barriers.