October 1, 2017:

Scheduled date for the referendum on Catalonian independence

September 14, 2017:

Separatists launch referendum campaign, raising tension further with Madrid

September 7, 2017:

Constitutional Court suspends decree, Spanish prosecutor says separatist leaders to be charged over referendum plans

September 6, 2017:

The Catalan government signs decree calling for a referendum despite threats of legal action by Madrid

January 10, 2016:

Carles Puigdemont, longtime separatist, becomes Catalonia regional president

September 2015:

Regional elections seen as a litmus test for independence. Separatists win a majority of seats for the first time

November 2015

Proindependence lawmakers pass a resolution that kicks off secession procedure. Spanish Constitutional Court later strikes it down

November 2014

Symbolic regional vote on independence. Turnout of 37 percent, with 80 percent in favour. Madrid says poll violates Spanish constitution

While Spain acts like a regime where the authority of power grows inversely to its moral strength, we feel increasingly supported by the Catalan people’s greatest asset: its people.” Carles Puigdemont, Regional president