History

The Medal for the Victims of the 2nd of May was authorized In Spain by King Ferdinand VII on October 27, 1815. It was awarded to the children, widows, and closest relatives of those persons who were killed by the French Forces in Madrid on May 2, 1808.

The revolt in Madrid of the 2nd of May, 1808, was the first confrontation between the Spanish and French armies at the Spanish War of Independence, also known as Peninsular war.

The Medal features an obverse inscription that translates to "To the Victims of the 2nd of May," and a reverse inscription that translates to "I Died for the Fatherland, I will live eternally."