It is the end of an era. After 40 years on the throne, Spanish King Juan Carlos i is announced he is stepping down. Speaking to the nation, he says it is the time for a new era and is making way for his son, felipe, to take over. In the early afternoon, spaniards watched as his tree was making history was being made on their television screens. Today, a Younger Generation has earned a place in the front row. To confront all of the problems facing our society with new energy and determination, to address the challenges of tomorrow with new power and devotion. The death of general Francisco Franco hated the way for juan carlos to ascend the paved the way for juan carlos to ascend the throne. He was crowned in december of 1975. [applause] is a prize to many with his support for the democratic reforms favored by the people. Perhaps his most famous moments came during an attempted coup in 1981 when soldiers forced their way into the spanish parliament. Juan carlos went on television to proc