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Spain has marked the 50th anniversary of Francisco Franco's death with an no formal commemorations but with a statement by the premier to learn from the history of the dictatorship and defend democratic freedom that was taken away for decades.

Background History

The dictator, whose armed uprising against the elected republican government in 1936 triggered a civil war and resulted in forty years of authoritarian rule, succumbed in Madrid on November 20, 1975.

Despite the government has organised a year-long series of activities to commemorate the political evolution, it declined government events on the specific date of the dictator's death to prevent claims that it was trying to honor his death.

Present-Day Worries

The anniversary comes amid increasing concerns about the lack of knowledge about the authoritarian period, especially among younger Spaniards.

Research findings has shown that a significant portion of those surveyed felt the Franco era was positive or excellent, while another study found approximately one-fourth of youth population felt that an authoritarian regime could occasionally be better to a democratic one.

Government Perspective

No democracy – including ours – is perfect, the leader stated. Much remains to be done to forge the Spain we want and that we can be: a country with enhanced prospects; more rights and less inequality.

The premier, who deliberately avoided mentioning Franco by name, also noted that liberties weren't automatically granted, stating that current liberties had been secured by the determination and fortitude of citizens.

Historical Memory Efforts

The authorities have utilized historical memory legislation passed in recent years to support the country address historical events.

• Changing the location's designation – once named the Valley of the Fallen
• Developing a registry of assets taken by the government
• Working to strip Spain the last vestiges of Francoist symbols

Foundation Closure Efforts

The authorities are presently in the last phases of its efforts to close the dictatorship foundation, which operates to maintain and advance the leader's memory.

The culture minister announced that his department was seeking to ensure that Franco's official archive – currently in the possession of the organization – was handed over to the state so it could be accessed by all Spaniards.

Political Opposition

The main conservative opposition is boycotting the government's initiative to observe half-century of liberties, as is the conservative faction, which rejected the initiative an unnecessary obsession that creates division among citizens.

Historical Legacy

Over half a million individuals died during the conflict, while hundreds of thousands more were forced into exile.

Punitive measures extended extensively following the war in 1939, and the corpses of countless individuals killed during the war and in its aftereffects are believed to be in anonymous burial sites.

Government Transformation

Subsequent to the ruler's passing, Spain began the transformation to representative government, organizing open polls in that period and ratifying a fresh charter in a public ballot afterward.