After Franco's death in 1975 the Spanish state worked diligently to piece together the remnants of the Second Republic and reestablish democracy. The consolidation of democracy in Spain was being challenged by an economic crisis ( 20% unemployment, 16% inflation) and major unrest within the autonomous regions of Pais Vasco y Cataluna.
These socio-economic problems coupled with a military conditioned to Franco-style strength paved the way for what is now known as 23-F.
On the 23rd of February in 1981, Colonel Antonio Tejero and 200 soldiers from la Guardia Civil burst into Congress armed and ready to overtake the government. They held the congress hostage for 18 hours but ultimately failed to take over the state. The importance of this was that it demonstrated the Spanish will to maintain democracy and suggested that these ideals had been internalized.
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| General Tejero speaking to Congress while holding them at gunpoint |
So I had never heard of this event before, and was really intrigued by the entire history of the failed coup. Upon returning home for lunch I mentioned the date to my host mother and she immediately perked up. Turns out, her first cousin was with Tejero that day that they stormed the congress. He had been ordered to Madrid days before and ultimately ended up being there to assist the overtake.
She continued by saying that after the coup her cousin spent two years in a prison and now everyone in the family calls him "golpista".
Living history. Mind is blown.
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