Day of Murcia in Spain

The Day of the Region of Murcia (Día de la Región de Murcia) is an annual public holiday in the autonomous community of Murcia, Spain, on June 9. It marks the anniversary of the approval of the statute of autonomy of Murcia on June 9, 1982.

The autonomous community of Murcia’s flag is seen on the Day of the Region of Murcia.

©iStockphoto.com/Hendrik De Bruyne

What do people do?

In the days and weeks before the Day of the Region of Murcia, children and young people have extra lessons on Murcia's history, geography and culture. They may make maps of the region or copies of the flag the autonomous community of Murcia. Various events are organized on the Day of the Region of Murcia. These events include:

• Sports events.
• Exhibitions of local arts and crafts.
• Tastings of traditional foods, wines and other drinks.
• Performances of traditional and modern music.
• Communal meals.

People display the flag of the autonomous community of Murcia on public buildings and homes and wave it in the streets.

Public life

The Day of the Region of Murcia is a public holiday in the Spanish autonomous community of Murcia on June 9. Public life is generally quiet during this period. 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. Large events may cause some local disruption to traffic, particularly in town and village centers.

Regional or local authorities may move the public holiday to a different date. If June 9 falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, many businesses and organizations are also closed on Monday, June 8, or Friday, June 10. June 9 is a public holiday known as the Day of La Rioja in the Spanish autonomous community of La Rioja. June 9 is not a public holiday in the rest of Spain.

Background

The area that is now the Spanish autonomous community of Murcia has been inhabited for many thousands of years. The Kingdom of Murcia was an independent Islamic state around 1000 CE. It became part of the Almoravid Empire after the battle of Sagrajas in 1086 CE. Murcia became part of the Kingdom of Castile in 1243. The Spanish autonomous community of Murcia is on Spain's east coast. It has borders with the autonomous communities of

• Andalusia.
• Castile-La Mancha.
• Valencia.

Murcia became an autonomous community of Spain on June 9, 1982. The Day of the Region of Murcia was first celebrated on June 9, 1983.

Symbols

The autonomous community of Murcia’s flag is seen on the Day of the Region of Murcia. It shows a shield and a crown on a red background. The shield and crown together form the coat of arms of Murcia. There are eight images of lions and castles, seven images of crowns and one image of a heart on the shield.

Day of Murcia Observances

Other holidays in June 2013 in Spain

• Day of La Rioja ―Sunday, June 9, 2013
• Day of Murcia observed ―Monday, June 10, 2013
• Day of La Rioja observed ―Monday, June 10, 2013
• San Antonio ―Thursday, June 13, 2013
• June Solstice ―Friday, June 21, 2013
• Saint John the Baptist Day ―Monday, June 24, 2013