On this day, people of San Sebastian remember tragic events of the war with Napoleon.  In 1813 allied troops of England and Portugal came to the city that was occupied by French. After heavy artillery bombardment of the city, they managed to breach the wall that protected San Sebastian. oldiers entered the city, defeated the defenders and pillaged San Sebastian. The capture of the city ended with a great fire, after which only the street that connects two oldest churches - San Vicente and Santa Maria - survived. Subsequently, the street was named 31st of August.
Nowadays, in memory of these tragic events, people of San Sebastian gather on the last day of August on this street and pass through it with lit candles and torches in a silent procession. Locals also light candles and lamps on their balconies. In addition, local choir and a small orchestra perform hymns.