Restoration of democracy and Generalitat

This city witnessed one of the most emotional homecomings in modern European history when Josep Tarradellas stepped onto Catalan soil on September 29, 1977, declaring "Citizens of Catalonia, I am here." His return from 40 years of exile marked the restoration of Catalan self-government after decades of dictatorship. Standing in the medieval heart of the Gothic Quarter at Plaça de Sant Jaume, the Palau de la Generalitat has been the seat of Catalonia's government since 1400.

The Generalitat is the institution that governs Catalonia with its own parliament, president, and executive council. When General Franco died in November 1975, Catalans began their fight for democracy. On September 11, 1977, over one million people flooded the streets demanding autonomy. The Generalitat had been abolished in 1939 after the Spanish Civil War.

President Lluís Companys was executed in 1940, but the presidency survived in exile under Josep Irla and later Tarradellas from 1954 onward. Prime Minister Adolfo Suárez recognized Tarradellas as legitimate president just weeks after the massive demonstration. Catalans approved their Statute of Autonomy by referendum on October 25, 1979. The first democratic elections followed on March 20, 1980, with Jordi Pujol becoming president.