Ever since 1997, September 12th has been celebrated as Diada de Mallorca (Mallorca Day). This day – today – is considered the date when Jaume I and his troops landed in Santa Ponça in their ultimately successful attempt to retake the island from the Moors, back in 1229. The Festa is organized by the Consell de Mallorca. Special ceremonies are held separately in Santa Ponça.

This year, celebrations take a special twist as 2011 turns out to be the 700th anniversary of the death of Jaume II, the second son of Jaume I, the King of Aragón and Valencia. Jaume II (1243-1311) was King of Mallorca and Lord of Montpellier from 1276 until his death. In 1279, by the Treaty of Perpignan, he became a vassal of the Kingdom of Aragón, headed by his older brother Pedro.

The photo was chosen from my archive. It was taken in Santa Ponça, Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: September 6th, 2010. The time was 10:34:04.