It was a solemn enough ceremony in Spain.
Catalonia's regional President, Artur Mas, signs a decree calling for an independence referendum on November 9.
It's something the region's independence movement has wanted for a long, long time, simmering especially over the last decade.
(SOUNDBITE) (Catalan) ARTUR MAS, PRESIDENT OF REGION OF CATALONIA, WALKING:
"It has taken great mobilizations by our citizens and a lot of months of work, to get to this day, a day that we will remember forever."
Outside, hundreds of supporters of Catalan independence cheer the move.
This wealthy north-eastern region accounts for a fifth of Spain's economy.
It has its own language, a distinct culture.
And polls show some 80 percent of Catalans want to at least vote on the issue.
(SOUNDBITE) (Catalan) SEPARATIST JORDI IBARS, SAYING:
"Everything is manipulated. Manipulated and organized by the government in Madrid. What can we expect?"
But the mov
