La Generación de los 80

THE 80s GENERATION

This mini sheet continues the Generations series, in which Correos salutes the most significant events of the recent decades in Spain. For the first time, both the events and the design of the mini sheet were chosen by Philately subscribers.

The 1980s marked the start of a new era in Spain, when their fledgling democracy inspired hope and excitement in the Spanish people, who experienced an explosion of freedoms and new challenges. One of the stamps on this mini sheet refers to what the arrival of democracy meant for the country.

With democracy, Adolfo Suárez became Prime Minister, the first elected leader since 1936. Meanwhile, another charismatic leader -a Hollywood actor- came to power in the United States, beginning the “Reagan era”.

In 1981 the course of Spanish politics was marked by a violent event. On 23 February there was an attempted coup, which although quickly neutralised, had a huge impact on the memory of the Spanish people, and even on the Congress building itself, where the bullet marks can still be seen.

Meanwhile, technology became part of our homes. From modern household appliances and colour TVs to the first personal computers. All of this is represented in a stamp that depicts this technology of everyday life.

And of course, we could not forget the great defender of animals and nature, Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente, who died in 1980. His face, with a lynx cub, is featured on another stamps in the mini sheet.

The last of the stamps commemorates Spain’s entry into the European Economic Community, a great step forward for our society.

A few lines from the song by Joaquin Sabina, Zumo de Neón, a hit of the era, completes our new mini sheet, which as in previous years takes us back to a period we now look at with nostalgia and fond memories.