The phrase functions as a proper noun referring to the National Day of Catalonia, known as the Diada Nacional de Catalunya, which is observed annually on September 11th. This date commemorates the fall of Barcelona to the Bourbon army of King Philip V at the end of the War of the Spanish Succession in 1714. The event marked the subsequent abolition of Catalan institutions and laws through the Nueva Planta decrees, signifying a loss of regional sovereignty.
Historically, the commemoration is rooted in remembrance of the defense of Catalan constitutional liberties. In contemporary times, the date has evolved into a significant platform for political and cultural expression. Since the early 2010s, the holiday has become particularly associated with large-scale demonstrations in Barcelona, organized by civil society groups advocating for Catalan independence. These gatherings often involve millions of participants and serve as a prominent display of the modern Catalan sovereignty movement. Observances also include official institutional acts, such as floral offerings at the monument to Rafael Casanova, who was the commander-in-chief of the Catalan forces during the 1714 siege.
Therefore, the significance of this date is twofold. It is a day of historical remembrance, mourning a pivotal military defeat and the loss of self-governance. Concurrently, it has been re-signified as a day for the reaffirmation of Catalan identity and a powerful annual mobilization for contemporary political demands, most notably the right to self-determination. The term encapsulates a complex blend of historical memory, cultural pride, and ongoing political aspiration within Catalonia.
