On 15 April 1920, the Spanish Communist Party, known as the Party of the Hundred Children because of its origins in the Socialist Youth, was created. A year later a second detachment, the Spanish Communist Workers' Party (Partido Comunista Obrero Español), was formed, which, after the intervention of the Communist International to unite the two parties, resulted in the Communist Party of Spain on 14 November 1921. In March 1922 it held its first congress. A history with many faces of women and men who decided to commit themselves to change the reality of an unjust and unequal country.
Shortly after it was formed, it faced the repression of the dictatorship of General Miguel Primo de Rivera. With the Second Republic it had a moment of great development, especially after the formation of the Popular Front and its role in the civil war, when it participated with several ministers in the government, under the leadership of the Sevillian José Díaz and the Biscayan Dolores Ibárruri "Pasionaria".
During the Franco regime, despite the harsh conditions of clandestinity, the PCE became the driving force behind the forces that fought for democracy. There were thousands of men and women who promoted a new trade unionism from the grassroots, attached to each workplace, socio-political in the demand for labour rights and political freedoms, two sides of the same coin that were impossible to separate: the Workers' Commissions. At the same time, a powerful neighbourhood, university, feminist and even Catholic Church movement emerged, which contributed to rebuilding a democratic civil society.
The PCE was legalised at Easter 1977. After the establishment of the democratic regime in 1978, the PCE participated in the drafting of the Spanish Constitution and in the development of the party system. Since 1986 it has done so within Izquierda Unida. It is celebrating its centenary with an extensive programme of political and cultural activities.
