Mexican Flag Day-Dia de la Bandera
by JackMoreau March 11, 2005
On February 24, Mexicans celebrate Dia de la Bandera, or Flag Day. On February 24, 1821, the war of independence officially ended and Mexico was proclaimed an independent country. The Mexican flag is a symbol of Mexican independence. The Mexican flag consists of three equal vertical bands of green, white and red. The green stands for hope, the white for unity, purity and honesty, and the red represents parenthood and the blood shed by national heroes. Situated in the center of the white band is the coat of arms: an eagle perched on a cactus, holding a snake in its beak. This part of the flag originates from an old Aztec legend. Their God told the Aztec people, to find their city in a place where an eagle sat on a prickly-pear cactus, eating a snake. After hundreds of years of searching, the Aztecs finally found their sign on a small island in Lake Texcoco. They named their new home Tenochtitlan, which means, Place of the Prickly Pear Cactus, and built a city on this site in AD 1325. Today, this site is the center of México City And did you know that the Mexican National Anthem is considered one of the most beautiful ones in the world? Children all over the country will sing it on Flag Day at their schools.
A brief history of the National Anthem
On November 12th, 1853, during the presidency of General Mariano Arista, a literary contest was held to select the lyrics of the National Anthem. On February 3rd, 1854, the Official Journal of the Federation published the name of the winner: Francisco Bocanegra, from San Luis Potosí. This same day, another competition was staged to set music to the lyrics of the National Anthem. The commission formed to select the music from a total of 15 compositions. On August 12th, 1854, the composition God and Freedom, by Jaime Nunó, was declared the winner. Jaime Nunó was born in, Gerona, Spain, in September 1825, making him only 29 years old when he wrote it. The National Anthem of the United Mexican States was heard in public for the first time on September 16th 1854.
Benito Juarez Day
by JackMoreau March 11, 2005
March 21st is Benito Juarez’s Birthday.This is a national holiday, the bank’s will be closed. Do you know why Benito Juarez is honored on this day? Benito Juarez was born in the state of Oaxaca in 1806. He was orphaned at an early age and was illiterate untill the age of 12. A Fransciscan Father taught him to read and write. In 1831 he graduated as a lawyer and went on to become the Governor of Oaxaca. In the year 1858 he became the President of Mexico. During his time as president, he led the liberals to victory in the Civil War of Reform, and led the rebellion against the French invasion. During his term as president Benito Juarez died on June 18th 1872 at the age of 66.
Dia de la Constitucion – Feb 5
by JackMoreau March 16,2005
February 5th is a national holiday to commemorate the Constitution of 1917, the legal document drawn up to embody the ideals of the Mexican Revolution. Over the years, it has been modified many a time to deal with both inherent and current problems, and to adapt to national and world changes, yet it remains the basis of Mexico’s legal system today. It also recognized social rights such as the right of workers to strike and to organize, the right to education and the right of the Nation to regulate private property in accordance with the common interest. This day is a Mexican holiday and many businesses and offices may be closed.
Day of the Dead - Dia de los Muertos November 1st and 2nd.
by JackMoreau March 16,2005
More than 500 years ago, when the Spanish Conquistadors landed in what is now Mexico, they encountered natives practicing a ritual that seemed to mock death. It was a ritual the indigenous people had been practicing at least 3,000 years. A ritual the Spaniards would try unsuccessfully to eradicate. A ritual known today as Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. The ritual is celebrated in Mexico and certain parts of the United States. Unlike the Spaniards, who viewed death as the end of life, the natives viewed it as the continuation of life. Instead of fearing death, they embraced it. To them, life was a dream and only in death did they become truly awake. However, the Spaniards considered the ritual to be sacrilegious. They perceived the indigenous people to be barbaric and pagan.In their attempts to convert them to Catholicism, the Spaniards tried to kill the ritual.But like the old Aztec spirits, the ritual refused to die.To make the ritual more Christian, the Spaniards moved it so it coincided with All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day (Nov. 1 and 2), which is when it is celebrated today.In rural Mexico, people visit the cemetery where their loved ones are buried. They decorate gravesites with marigold flowers and candles. They bring toys for dead children and bottles of tequila to adults. They sit on picnic blankets next to gravesites and eat the favorite food of their loved ones.