Spain marked the 90th anniversary [1] of the 1936 coup on Saturday, with survivors and political leaders reflecting on the conflict's enduring legacy.

The anniversary serves as a critical point for preserving collective memory and reaffirming democratic values in a country still processing the trauma of the Spanish Civil War and the subsequent dictatorship.

Nicolás Sánchez‑Albornoz, who turned 100 [2] this year, shared memories of the violence that reached his childhood home. He was 10 years old [3] at the time, recovering from an illness in bed, when the conflict arrived at his residence on Calle Ferraz near the Cuartel de la Montaña in Seville.

"I was 10 years old and I was sick, in bed," Sánchez‑Albornoz said. "We lived on Calle Ferraz, right on the corner of Plaza de España, and one part faced the Cuartel de la Montaña. When they stormed it, the machine gun bullets reached my sisters' rooms, who, fortunately, were not there. My grandmother Teresa covered me with her body."

Sánchez‑Albornoz described the psychological weight of the era, noting that the war entered through the window and remained for nearly 40 years [4]. While the active military conflict lasted from 1936 to 1939, the metaphorical impact of the war and the following regime persisted for decades.

Political figures also used the anniversary to link historical memory with current governance. Chano Franquis (PSOE Gran Canaria) referenced the memory of Fernando Egea during the commemorations.

"Remembering Fernando Egea on this day is reaffirming our commitment to the democratic principles that we defend today," Franquis said.

Experts cited by ABC noted that July 18, 2026, marked the beginning of a tragedy that continues to resonate within the collective memory of Spain. The date remains a focal point for those seeking to ensure that the lessons of the 1936 uprising are not forgotten by future generations.

“"My grandmother Teresa covered me with her body."”

The 90th anniversary highlights the transition of the Spanish Civil War from living memory to historical record. As the number of centenarian survivors like Sánchez‑Albornoz dwindles, the Spanish state and political entities are increasingly relying on institutionalized 'democratic memory' to maintain the ideological divide between the 1936 coup's authoritarianism and modern democratic governance.