​Almanac: Gibraltar

Almanac: Gibraltar

And now a page from our "Sunday Morning" Almanac: July 24, 1704, 312 years ago today ... the day Britain and its Dutch allies seized Gibraltar from Spain.

CBS News

Located at Europe's southern tip, Gibraltar and its towering rock dominate the narrow strait between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.

Granted sovereignty by the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, Britain transformed Gibraltar into a fortress and naval base.

Unreconciled to Gibraltar's loss, Spain imposed a land blockade of the tiny territory in 1969, which lasted until 1985.

Rich in history, Gibraltar is a prime tourist destination famous for its indigenous monkeys ... and, of course, for its landmark rock, nearly 1,400 feet high.

Gibraltar looms large in our popular culture as well.

It rates a lyric in the Gershwin tune "Our Love Is Here to Stay" ... and it graced the opening of the CBS News series "The Twentieth Century" back in the 1950s and '60s.

And it was in Gibraltar that Beatle John Lennon wed Yoko Ono in 1969.

Nations and borders may come and go but, barring a cataclysm, it's very clear the Rock of Gibraltar is here to stay.

Pedestrians cross the tarmac at Gibraltar International Airport in front of the Rock, in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, near the border with Spain, June 24, 2016, after Britain voted to leave the European Union. REUTERS/Jon Nazca

For more info:

f

We and our partners use cookies to understand how you use our site, improve your experience and serve you personalized content and advertising. Read about how we use cookies in our cookie policy and how you can control them by clicking Manage Settings. By continuing to use this site, you accept these cookies.