From Dictatorship to Democracy and Beyond!

关于此套币: From the era of General Franco to his death on the 20th of November 1975. This was the end of 36 years of Francos rule of Spain which ushered in a new Spanish era, a new beginning with King Jaun Carlos taking control of the country 2 days after Franco's death. King Juan Carlos then appointed Adolfo Suarez as Prime Minister who was confirmed by popular vote on the 3rd of July 1976; he was the first democratically elected Prime Minister in Spain's history! Just 5 short years later, Spain's fledgling democracy was tested by an attempted coup on the 23rd of February 1981 by Col. Antonio Tejero. Coronel Tejero and approximately 200 of his fellow Guardia Civil Officers stormed the Spanish Cortes (Congress or Parliament) and held them hostages for about 18 hours. In support, General Jamie Bosch in the Eastern city of Valencia rolled tanks into the streets declaring a state of emergency! King Carlos called Col. Tejero and told him to stand down and recognize the rule of law. The King won the day and the hostages were released and the tanks returned to their garages, and the young Spanish Democracy survived. This Peseta set continues up to the transition to the Euro in 2001.