THE SPANISH EMPIRE BUMPER STICKER

The motto became popular in Spain after Charles V became king of both Aragon and Castile in the early 16th century. It subsequently became the motto of Habsburg Spain and featured on the Spanish dollar. The motto was used to encourage Spanish explorers to go beyond the Pillars of Hercules and on to the New World. Today the inscription, along with the Pillars of Hercules, is featured on both the national flag and emblem of modern Spain. The Spanish Empire (Spanish: Imperio Español) consisted of the territories and colonies administered directly by Spain in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia or Oceania. At the peak of its power, it was one of the largest empires in world history. It originated during the Age of Exploration and was therefore one of the first global empires. It lasted from the 15th century through — in the case of its African holdings — the latter portion of the 20th century.