Issue date: 09 Oct, 2020
ANNIVERSARIES. CENTENARY OF THE SPANISH LEGION
It is now a hundred years since His Majesty, King Alfonso XIII of Spain, signed the Royal Decree creating the Foreign Legion.
On 20 September 1920 the first legionnaire enlisted to selflessly serve Spain and its citizens.
During its first hundred years, the legion, born from the battles Alfonso XIII’s Spain had to fight in Morocco, saw itself evolve from a body of volunteers into one of the standard bearers of Spain’s Armed Forces.
Governed by a “Credo of the Legion” inspired by a Samurai code of conduct, the legionnaires are imbued with a spirit of “unity and support, fellowship, discipline, combat, suffering and hardship”, among other great values.
There are also many legionnaire symbols that have survived over time and a multitude of battles. Symbols such as the famous goat, a curious mascot that has taken the place of other animals, and the “chapiri”, a traditional hat with a tassel inspired by the headgear worn by Isabella of Spain’s troops.
Their rapid march in parades is also well known and expected owing to their military bearing and spectacular nature.
The corps marked a historical landmark in 1990: the incorporation of its first woman, Pilar Hernández Frutos, who became the first “woman legionnaire”.
Correos is issuing a new Premium Sheet of Stamps dedicated to the Legion and the centenary of its creation, where we can see a stamp representing the past and present of this corps, with images of legionnaires from the early years and those today still risking life and limb for Spain.
The images making up the Premium Sheet of Stamps demonstrate this legionary spirit which has remained as strong as ever. The trenches of yesteryear and today, alertness and defence continue to be present in a few men about whom there can be no doubt from their parade cry: “legionnaires to fight, legionnaires to die”.
Rate A - €0.75. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, up to 20 g.
Rate A2 - €0.85. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, between 20 g and 50 g.
Rate B - €1.65. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to Europe (including Greenland), up to 20 g.
Rate C - €1.75. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the rest of the world (except USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand), up to 20 g.
Rate D - €2.10. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, up to 20 g.