Spain becomes a democracy in 1978 on this day in history

1978: Spain becomes a democracy
After four decades of dictatorship, Spain became a democracy today when King Juan Carlos approved the country's new constitution. "Assembled members of the Cortes (Parliament) rose in a standing ovation as the 40-year-old king, who was the chosen heir of the late Generalisimo Francisco Franco, signed the document erasing the last vestige's of Franco's rule," informed The Newport Daily News on December 27, 1978. "The historic ceremony completed Spain's transition to a democracy following Franco's death Nov. 20, 1975."