It was a solemn enough ceremony in Spain.<br/> <br />Catalonia's regional President, Artur Mas, signs a decree calling for an independence referendum on November 9.<br/> <br />It's something the region's independence movement has wanted for a long, long time, simmering especially over the last decade.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Catalan) ARTUR MAS, PRESIDENT OF REGION OF CATALONIA, WALKING:<br/> <br />"It has taken great mobilizations by our citizens and a lot of months of work, to get to this day, a day that we will remember forever."<br/> <br />Outside, hundreds of supporters of Catalan independence cheer the move.<br/> <br />This wealthy north-eastern region accounts for a fifth of Spain's economy.<br/> <br />It has its own language, a distinct culture.<br/> <br />And polls show some 80 percent of Catalans want to at least vote on the issue.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Catalan) SEPARATIST JORDI IBARS, SAYING:<br/> <br />"Everything is manipulated. Manipulated and organized by the government in Madrid. What can we expect?"<br/> <br />But the mov
