May 8th was designated “Bernardo de Galvez Day” in Pensacola, where the Spanish general led a 61-day siege in 1781 to oust the British from northwest Florida, in what many call a key battle of the American Revolution.
After a ceremony downtown at St. Michael’s Basilica, an entourage that included two dozen residents of Macharaviaya, Spain – Pensacola’s sister city – were led by a color guard in period clothing the three blocks up Palafox St. to Fort George. They paused a couple of times along the route, once to the applause of students from nearby Episcopal Day School, before arriving at the fort.
A reenactment of the Battle of Pensacola was held in Pensacola in 2009, and in 2012 in Macharaviaya.
The entourage moved to the fort’s bust of Galvez that overlooks Palafox for a wreath-laying ceremony. The color guard rendered one final salute after the playing of the Star Spangled Banner and Spain’s national anthem, “Marcha Real” –.
The ceremonies at St. Michael’s and Fort George Wednesday were followed by a presentation at the T-T Wentworth Museum, and a trip to the landmark FloraBama bar. The entourage also made stops in Mobile and New Orleans, before departing New Orleans for home.