Pascua Militar

The Pascua Militar () is a military ceremony that takes place every 6 January in the Throne Room of the Royal Palace of Madrid.  The King of Spain receives the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Chiefs of Staff of all branches, the Grand Masters of the Royal and Military Orders of San Fernando and San Hermenegildo, the Civil Guard chiefs and the Veterans Brotherhood. 

The holiday begins with the review of the troops (composed mainly by the Royal Guard) by the Monarch in the courtyard of the Royal Palace after being saluted by the Prime Minister and the Chiefs of Staff.  After this, they go to the Throne Room of the Royal Palace where the Monarch rewards some military officers.  During this day, both the Monarch and the Defence Minister make speeches to the Government, the highest officers of the Armed Forces and other authorities.  These speeches usually reflect the Spanish political and geostrategic situation. 

Along with Madrid, the holiday is celebrated in the rest of the country in the different military headquarters. 

Origin
King Charles III established this ceremony on the occasion of the capture of Menorca to the British, carried out by a Franco-Spanish army of 52 ships in 1782 and the Spanish Navy Marines.  As an expression of joy, Charles III ordered the Viceroys, Captain Generals, Governors and Military commanders to gather the garrisons at the feast of the Epiphany and to notify their commanders and officers of the armies of their congratulations on their behalf.  The Military Easter has gone from being a historical memory to a solemn and important military act with which the military year begins, a balance is made of the previous year and the lines of action to be developed are marked in which it begins. 

See also
 Three Kings Day
 Holidays of Spain
 Monarchy of Spain

References

Category:Public holidays in Spain
Category:January observances