José Antonio Primo de Rivera, a significant figure in the early stages of fascism in Spain, was executed on November 20, 1936, by a Republican execution squad amid the ongoing Spanish Civil War. As the founder of the Falange, a political movement that sought to bring together various nationalist and fascist elements in Spain, Rivera was captured while trying to escape falling into the hands of Republican forces. His political ideology was characterized by authoritarianism, nationalism, and a staunch opposition to communism. Rivera's Falange was among the earliest proponents of a fascist system in Spain, seeking to establish a unified state that rejected the ideologies of socialism and liberal democracy.After his arrest, there were calls for his execution, given the violent ideological struggles taking place in Spain. Rivera was sentenced and executed without a formal trial, highlighting the intense atmosphere of suspicion and hostility during this chaotic period. His death was seen as both a martyrdom for fascists and a necessary action by the Republican side. Following his execution, Rivera became a symbol of far-right opposition in Spain, and his influence extended beyond his death, as the Falange and later Franco’s regime utilized his legacy to promote their nationalist agenda.Extensive propaganda efforts in the following years ensured that Primo de Rivera’s image would endure, portraying him as a martyr for the right-wing cause. His execution not only targeted an influential leader but also represented the broader struggle between fascism and republicanism, shaping the ideological landscape of Spain during one of its most tumultuous periods.