HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY MEXICO 2022

     
                                   HAPPY DIA DE INDEPENDENCIA MEXICO 2022

Ignacio Allende, one of the leaders of the War of Independence.

Mexico's most important and patriotic celebration is in honor of its Independence from Spain in 1810. Each year its "birthday" is celebrated on September 16th with traditional and also contemporary festivities and activities. You can compare Independence Day in Mexico to the 4th of July in the United States of America to get an idea of its importance.

The Mexican War of Independence began on September 16, 1810 when Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest, declared independence in the town of Dolores Hidalgo where he organized a large "army" of children, women, and elderly including Mexican-born Spaniards (Criollo people), Mestizos, and Amerindians to revolt against Spanish rule.
Father Hidalgo's now very famous "Grito de Dolores" or “Cry of Delores” called for the end of Spanish rule in Mexico, redistribution of land, and racial equality.

After a protracted struggle from 1810 to 1821 New Spain became the sovereign nation of Mexico with the signing of the Treaty of Cordoba. September 16 is celebrated as Mexican Independence Day.

The movement for independence was inspired by the "Age of Enlightenment" and the American and French revolutions. By that time the educated elite of "New Spain" (now known as Mexico) had begun to reflect on the relations between Spain and its colonial kingdoms.

After gaining independence from Spain in 1821, Mexico officially became the "United Mexican States." The American independence movement had inspired Mexican leaders of that era and since Mexico was in fact also a territory composed of states the name stuck and it became official in 1824.





Mexicans celebrate their country's Independence Day with fireworks, fiestas, food, dance, and music on September 16. Flags, flowers, and decorations in the colors of the Mexican flag which are red, white, and green are seen in public areas in the cities and towns throughout Mexico.





The Mexican national flag which is symbolic of the following: Green represents Mexican independence, white the religion at the heart of the Mexican culture and its people, and red the union between the religion and the independence.





One of our favorite aspects of Mexico's Independence Day celebrations includes the annual Charro Parade. Charros are the "cowboys" of Mexico who have maintained a very strong cultural tradition. The Charro Parade in Puerto Vallarta includes participants of both genders and many generations and is accompanied by marching bands.

The following photo is a three generation charro photo which I couldn't resist sharing.






Dia de Independencia is celebrated in Puerto Vallarta with the traditional reading of the "Grito de Delores" (Cry of Dolores) on the main plaza followed by music, dance, and fireworks. If you happen to be in Puerto Vallarta or any other town in Mexico during the first half of September I highly recommend this wonderful occasion. You won't be disappointed!

Thank you for joining me in celebrating Mexico's Independence Day celebrations. Until next year, wishing you and Mexico a happy and prosperous year. Saludos, Laura

REVOLUTION DAY CELEBRATIONS IN MEXICO

The Mexican Revolution (Spanish: Revolución Mexicana) or Mexican Civil War (Spanish: Guerra Civil Mexicana) was a major armed struggle that broke out in 19l0 when the decades-old rule of President Porfirio Díaz was challenged by Francisco I. Madero, a reformist writer and politician. When Díaz refused to allow clean elections, Madero's calls for revolution were answered by Pascual Orozco and Francisco “Pancho” Villa who led troops in the north and Emiliano Zapata who led troops of campesinos (peasant farmers) to the cry of "Tierra y Libertad!" (Land and Freedom!) in the South.

Díaz was deposed in 1911, but the revolution was just beginning. This internal war lasted for the better part of a decade until around 1920. Over time the revolution changed from a revolt against the established order to a multi-sided civil war with frequently shifting power struggles. By the time the revolution was over, hundreds of thousands had died as rival politicians and warlords fought each other over the cities and regions of Mexico. This armed conflict is often categorized as the most important sociopolitical event in Mexico and one of the greatest upheavals of the 20th century.

Primary Causes of the Mexican Revolution:

• The dictatorship-like rule of Porfirio Diaz for over 30 years

• Exploitation and poor treatment of workers

• Great disparity between rich and poor

A little about Orozco, Villa, and Zapata and their roles in the Mexican Revolution:
In the southern state of Morelos, Madero's call was answered by peasant leader Emiliano Zapata who hoped a revolution would lead to land reform. In the north, muleteer Pascual Orozco and bandit chieftain Pancho Villa also took up arms. All three rallied thousands of men to their rebel armies.

Emiliano Zapata

                                                                      Pascual Orozco

                                                             Francisco “Pancho” Villa

In the south, Zapata attacked large ranches called haciendas giving back land which had been illegally and systematically stolen from peasant villages under the rule of Diaz. In the north, Villa and Orozco's massive armies attacked federal garrisons building up impressive arsenals and attracting thousands of new recruits.Villa truly believed in reform and wanted to see a new, less corrupted Mexico. Orozco was more of an opportunist who saw a chance to get in on the ground floor of a movement. He was confident that the movement would succeed thus securing himself a position of power for himself with the new regime.

There were also female Zapatista soldiers who served from the beginning of the revolution. When Zapata met with President Madero on July 12, 1911, he was accompanied by his troops. Among them were female soldiers including officers. Some women also led bandit gangs before and during the Revolution. Women joined the Zapatistas as soldiers for various reasons including revenge for dead family members or to perform raids. Women fought bravely as Zapatista soldiers and some were killed in battle. Long after the revolution ended many continued to wear men's clothing and carry pistols.

                                  
                                                       Female Zapatista soldiers

By 1920 the revolutionary general Alvaro Obregón had risen to the presidency primarily by outliving his main rivals. Most historians feel that this event marks the end of the revolution although the violence continued well into the 1920's.

After prolonged struggles and bloodshed, the Mexican Constitution of 1917 was created during Venustiano Carranza's term as President. The Constitution of Mexico which is formally called the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States (Spanish: Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos) is the current constitution of Mexico . It was drafted in Santiago de Queretaro, in the state of Queretaro, by a constitutional convention during the Mexican Revolution.

The current Constitution of 1917 is the first such document in the world to set out social rights. The constitution is founded on seven fundamental ideals:

• A declaration of rights

• Sovereignty of the nation

• Separation of powers

• Representative government

• A federal system

• Constitutional remedy

• Supremacy of the state over the Church

Revolution Day is officially November 20th. However it is now celebrated annually in Mexico on the third Monday of November when all public offices, schools, etc. are closed. Viva la Revolucion and Viva Mexico!

The flag of Mexico (Spanish: Bandera de México) is a vertical tricolor of green, white, and red with the national coat of arms in the center of the white stripe. The coat of arms has an eagle holding a serpent in its beak and talon and is perched on top of a prickly pear cactus growing out of rocks in the middle of a lake. A wreath of oak and laurel tied with a ribbon in the national green-white-red colors is below the eagle. Viva Mexico!

FRANCISCO "PANCHO" VILLA

                                                              

                                                       

                                                       EMILIANO ZAPATA 

                                                                   

                                                     PASCUAL OROZC

                            

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any comments, suggestions, or questions. I may be contacted directly by email or by posting a comment on this blog page.  Gracias,  Laura

                                           

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