10 dates in Catalonia’s long tussle with Spain

The Catalonian parliament’s vote Friday to declare independence from Spain comes after centuries of tension.

Here is a summary in 10 key dates.

– 1714: Barcelona falls –

The region of Catalonia sides with Austria and its allies in the War of Succession but its capital Barcelona falls to Spanish and French forces in 1714 after months of seige. Its autonomous institutions are dissolved.

The defeat is on September 11 which becomes Catalonia’s National Day, enduring today as an enthusiastic and nationalistic celebration honouring the defenders of the city.

– 1932: first autonomy statute –

The Second Spanish Republic is declared in 1931 and the king goes into exile. The following year Spain’s parliament grants Catalonia a statute of autonomy for the first time, allowing broad powers over its internal affairs. Both Spanish and Catalan are recognised as official languages.

– 1934: a state for a few hours –

On October 6, 1934 left-wing republican Lluis Companys declares the region “a Catalan state in the federal republic of Spain”. The Spanish army cracks down immediately; just 10 hours later, and after dozens of deaths, Companys surrenders.

– 1939-1975: suppression under Franco –

In January 1939 General Francisco Franco’s forces take control of Barcelona after a three-year civil war in Spain. Catalan autonomy is suppressed and the speaking of Catalan in public is banned across Spain until Franco’s death in 1975.

– 1978: autonomy restored –

Spain’s new constitution in 1978 recognises Catalonia among various distinct communities in the country but lays down the “indissoluble unity” of the Spanish nation. In a referendum the following year, Catalans approve a new autonomy statute for greater powers in areas such as healthcare, education and culture.

– 2006: autonomy expanded –

A new version of statute is approved, increasing Catalonia’s fiscal and judicial powers and describing the region as a “nation”.

– 2010: no ‘nation’ –

After an appeal, Spain’s Constitutional Court rules that the word nation in the statute has “no legal value”, even though it approves other parts of the 2006 autonomy charter.

It also rejects the “preferential” use of the Catalan language in municipal services.

The following month, hundreds of thousands of people protest in Barcelona.

– 2014: symbolic referendum –

In defiance of Madrid, Catalonia presses ahead with a symbolic referendum on independence in November. Turnout is just 37 percent, of which over 80 percent vote in favour.

– 2015: pro-independence majority –

In September the pro-independence Together For Yes alliance secures 62 seats in the regional assembly and the radical left-wing separatist group CUP wins 10, giving them together an absolute majority.

But the separatist block falls short of winning a majority of votes, handing Madrid a strong argument to resist the push for independence.

In November all 72 pro-independence lawmakers vote to start the process to secede. The resolution is struck down by Spain’s Constitutional Court.

– 2017: independence vote –

A new independence referendum, deemed illegal by the central government, is held on October 1. Turnout is about 43 percent, of which 90 percent back independence, according to Catalan authorities.

Madrid moves to assert control but Catalan lawmakers vote on October 27 to declare independence from Spain.