In 2026, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the declaration of its independence. Spain, despite complicated relations with Washington in recent years, has decided not to stand aside from such a significant event. As early as next year, the Spanish Navy will head to American shores to take part in large-scale festivities.
The plan is for the squadron to include the country’s most prominent ships: the flagship Juan Carlos I, the training vessel Juan Sebastián Elcano, several modern frigates, landing ships, and marine units. This joint deployment of Spanish forces to U.S. waters will be the first in history, giving special significance to the event for both countries.
The anniversary also coincides with the FIFA World Cup, which will be held simultaneously in three North American countries. The White House has already created a special commission, Task Force 250, to coordinate preparations for the celebration. The U.S. is giving special attention to the occasion: the commission’s official website even features a countdown to the festivities.
Diplomatic circles in Spain have long discussed how to highlight the country’s role in the history of American independence. There were proposals to form an interdepartmental group to promote Spain’s contribution, but disagreements between ministries have put the project on hold for now. Nevertheless, Spanish embassies and consulates have already received a preliminary activity plan, and King Felipe VI emphasized the importance of historical ties between the two countries during his visit to New York.
Despite the lack of a unified national strategy, Spain is actively preparing its own program. In the coming months, a detailed schedule of events is expected to be published, involving both the military and cultural representatives. For Spain, this is an opportunity not only to showcase its capabilities on the international stage, but also to remind the world of its contribution to the founding of US independence.
