Fifty years ago today, on November 22, 1975 (October 20, 1975 in the lunar calendar), Juan Carlos became King of Spain. Juan Carlos On November 22, 1975, Spain had a new leader. Juan Carlos was made king in Madrid two days after the death of Generalissimo Franco. In Franco's posthumously issued will, he called for national unity and vigilance against "the looming enemies of Spain and Christian culture." Juan Carlos is the grandson of Alfonso XIII and the son of Juan, Count of Barcelona. He spent his childhood in Italy and returned to Spain to receive education in 1947. On July 22, 1969, Franco appointed Juan Carlos as the future King of Spain. Juan Carlos, who was personally appointed by Franco, vowed to be consistently loyal to his principles, but he was also well aware of the pressure of reform. He did not propose reform himself, saying he would encourage long-term improvements. Many in the audience wore the conspicuous blue tops of the semi-fascist group Phalangist, and people cheered only once, when the king indirectly called for the recovery of Gibraltar. What Juan-Carlos faces is pressing is the Sahara issue. Juan Carlos and his wife were crowned