Periods of British occupation of the island of Menorca

Did you know that January 6 is celebrated in Spain as the Military Easter day and why? Military Easter commemorates the recovery of the island of Menorca after years of occupation by British troops.

In 1782 Menorca returned to Spanish sovereignty after the victory over the British fleet, which had occupied the Island (of great strategic value) for 70 years, as a result of the War of Succession.

To celebrate the recovery, Carlos III established the festival that is celebrated on January 6, the date on which the naval campaign began that would culminate a month later with the surrender of the English army. With this party, the king thanked his Army and his Navy for the services rendered in the different scenarios, from Melilla to California …

In 1783, in the remains of the castle of San Felipe (at the entrance to the port of Mahón), an obelisk dedicated to Carlos III was erected with an inscription, written in Spanish, Latin, French and English, with the following inscription:

“To Carlos III, King of Spain and the Indies, having reconquered the island of Menorca from the English …”