The French opened fire on the crowd and the uprising started spreading across the city with the local population confronting the vastly better armed French troops. The Madrid city governors finally agreed to the French demands, but when the French got to the Royal Palace, a crowd had gathered intent of stopping the French from taking the son and daughter. On May 2nd 1808, French troops under the command of general Murat attempted to take Charles IV's daughter and youngest son, to take them to Bayonne. Both father and son were living in the French town of Bayonne. Charles IV of Spain had been forced by Napoleon to abdicate in favour of his son, Ferdinand VII. In 1808, Madrid had been occupied by French troops since late March. ![]() Known as 'Comunidad de Madrid' in Spanish, this holiday celebrates a rebellion against the French in the War of Independence. This regional holiday is celebrated in Madrid annually on May 2nd.
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