Spain marks bicentennial of its democracy

Sep 24, 2010, 13:12 GMT

Cadiz, Spain - Spain on Friday marked the bicentennial of the launch of its Cadiz Constitution, which is seen as having laid the foundations for its modern democracy.

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia visited the Saint Peter and Paul church on Leon Island near Cadiz, where the national legislative assembly was sworn in during the Peninsular War in 1810.

Two years later, the assembly promulgated the Cadiz Constitution, which established principles such as universal suffrage, national sovereignty and freedom of the press.

The Cadiz Constitution sowed 'the seed of freedom,' Juan Carlos said at a commemoration held in San Fernando de Cadiz.

It led to the creation of a 'modern, united, diverse Spain characterized by solidarity,' the monarch said.

The Cadiz Constitution served as an example to several new republics in Latin America.

Spain has highlighted the role of the constitution - in what some see as an attempt to downplay criticism of its colonial rule - as several Latin American countries mark the bicentennial of their independence this year.