Retrograde in History · 1981
1981 Spanish coup d'état attempt
On February 23, 1981, Mercury was mid-loop — retrograde in Aquarius, tracing backward through 22°32′ of the sign.
WhenFebruary 23, 1981♒︎Aquarius 22°32′Rx windowFeb 8 – Mar 2, 1981
The record
On 23 February 1981, right-wing elements of the Spanish Civil Guard and military attempted a coup d'état, which King Juan Carlos I helped foil, marking the last serious attempt to revert Spain to a Francoist state.
Born inside this same window
Coincidence, not causation: the date is real and ephemeris-based, but a retrograde window is observed, never blamed. For entertainment, not navigation.