The British and Spanish constituencies on the island of Gibraltar coexisted uneasily through several centuries with the native population of Gibraltar, who wanted governance of their own affairs. Neither Britain nor Spain wanted to give up their part of the island, for fear the other side would then take control. After WW II the matter was put to a referendum, with the Gibraltar people voting for one of two options:

(a) To pass under Spanish sovereignty in accordance with the terms proposed by the Spanish Government to Her Majesty’s Government on 18 May 1966; or
(b) Voluntarily retain their link with Britain, with democratic local institutions and with Britain retaining its present responsibilities.

On this day, September 10, 1967, in internationally-monitored elections, more than 99% of the voters chose the latter, to remain with Britain.

Spain used the United Nations-mandated de-colonization program to press their claim to the British colony of Gibraltar, but the UK countered that the people of the island wanted to stay with Britain. An enviable 95.8% of eligible voters cast their ballot, and out of those 12,237 only 44 voted for Spain. The better British economy and embitterment over Spain’s repressive government policies no doubt swayed the minds of many voters.