What happened on October 1, 2017 in Catalonia?
There was a independence referendum held on the 1st October 2017 in the Spanish autonomous community of Catalonia. The referendum was declared unconstitutional by the Spanish government, which eventually led to a mass widespread protesting and riots in Catalonia, similar to the Hong Kong pro-independent riot that occurred at a similar time.
What were the most major impacts?
The Catalan independence referendum and subsequent unrest had several major impacts:

1. It deepened the political crisis in Spain. The referendum and violent crackdown strained the relationship between the Catalan and Spanish governments. The central government took direct control of Catalonia, removing the Catalan president and government.
2. It highlighted divisions in Catalan society. While the referendum showed majority support for independence, a large portion of Catalans opposed secession. The issue has polarized the region.
3. It drew international attention. The unrest and violence around the referendum put a spotlight on the issue of Catalan independence and self-determination. The crackdown was criticized by some world leaders, while others maintained that the referendum was illegal.
4. The fate of Catalan independence remains uncertain. While the 2017 referendum showed support for independence, the movement has stalled. The Spanish government opposes any referendum on secession. However, the issue continues to shape politics in Catalonia and Spain.