mmers and chisels, busily
building a new life for the people.

Spain has joined the United Nations and Spanish boys and girls are eager
to join all boys and girls who want their countries to be partners in
progress. If, in getting to know Spain, you have learned to like it,
perhaps you'll want to say "hello" and "good luck" to your Spanish
friends. Here is how to say it: "Saludos, amigos!"

History

Before 200 B.C.--Earliest people lived in caves in northern Spain;
were conquered by Iberians, then Celts. Phoenicians and Greeks
came, and finally all were conquered by Carthaginians.

201 B.C.--Romans conquered Carthaginians, began a rule lasting more
than 500 years.

406 A.D.--Barbarians, especially Visigoths, came into Spain from
central Europe and eventually drove out the Romans.

711 A.D.--The Moors came from North Africa and conquered all Spain
in less than 10 years. Although the Christian Spaniards started
fighting almost immediately for the "Reconquest" of Spain, the
Moors were masters for almost 800 years.

January 2, 1492--The Reconquest of Spain was completed when the
armies of Ferdinand and Isabella drove the Moors out of the
Alhambra in Granada, their last stronghold.

August, 1492--Columbus sailed with his three ships from Palos in an
effort to reach the Far East by sailing west; on October 12, he
made his first landfall in the New World and claimed it for Spain.

1492-1588--The Golden Age of Spain. Columbus discovered more lands
in the New World, and Conquistadores planted the Spanish flag all
through North and South America. Spain controlled most of Europe.
It was a time of great artists and writers like Velasquez, El
Greco, Murillo, Lope de Vega and Cervantes.

1588--Spain's great naval Armada was defeated by England and the
power of Spain began to decline throughout the world. Last overseas
possessions were lost at the end of the Spanish-American War in
1898.

1931--King Alfonso XIII abdicated from his throne, went into exile;
Spain became a republic.

1936-1939--The Spanish Civil War. Nationalists led by General
Francisco Franco won the war and the General became Chief of State.

1947--The Law of Succession was adopted by Spanish Parliament,
providing for a future King and new Spanish monarchy; this law
altered in 1956