Welcome to my Mexican Page! where you will find mainly the Historic Dates of my Country. I decided to make this page because I wanted all my friends to know a little bit of my Country, its history and customs. I hope you will find it interesting. Don't stop visiting this page often! Slowly this page will be growing!
February 24th. Flag day
May 5th. Puebla's Battle
September 13th. The Heroic Children.
September 16th. Start of Mexico's Independence
November 1st. And 2nd. Day of the Death
November 20th. Mexican Revolution
February 24th.
FLAG DAY
The Mexican Flag is the primary symbol of our Mexican Nationality, which honors us and makes us proud, it is the symbol of our Mother Country. On September 15th 1917, for the first time our Flag waved in the National Palace, as of this date.
In reality, it is much older, since on February 24th 1821, date where "Plan de Iguala" (Iguala's Plan), established definitely Mexico's Independence, the tricolor Flag was created by the Trigarante Army. Its colors have been permanent since then.
NATIONAL EMBLEM
The origin of the Eagle on the National Emblem, came all the way through the Tenochtitlán Foundation, in which the center image you can appreciate an eagle standing over a "nopal". The eagle constituted, since then, a native emblem.
Since the Spanish conquered us, they tried to make the Mexican Natives forget about this symbol, but they only achieved it on appearance. Nevertheless at the victory of the Independence war, the Eagle came back to stay on our Flags, even after General Morelos chose it's Flag, it had a similar emblem.
During some Governments, the Eagle changed positions, in some flags show with out the snake, or with a crown on top of the Eagle. But since 1961, by decree of Venustiano Carranza, he ordered that the Eagle appears on its side and on it's actual position.
By Decree of Mr. President Diaz Ordaz, the Emblem suffered some light changes, and he limited its use.
May 5th.
PUEBLA'S BATTLE
That day, the Town of Mexico City lived some anguish moments. There hasn't been even 15 years
since the NorthAmerican Invasion; Mexico is threatened again. The Napoleonic Armies, extremely
high with vanity for their triumphs in Magenta, Solferino and Crimea, marched over the Capital
City, being Puebla the only obstacle that they should conquer, where they waited to get through
between flowers and cheers of Juarez's opositors. But on the contrary, he had ordered that the
battle be presented in that same place. Since one day before Zaragoza
Knew that the French Army were near Puebla. With the thought of beat them, or at least, move
away these last two, Zaragoza sent to battle a 2,000 men brigade. Then, guarded the Plaza with
800 men, one Artillery and 2 mountain, covered the Hills of Loreto and Guadalupe with one
hundred thousand men and to Artilleries. The 3,550 left formed them in 4 columns with one
Artillery, and 3 of Infantry and one Cavalry.
On May 5th. The Enemy avoided the combat on smooth camp and, leaving a respectable force at
camp, he sent small Artillery to his left, moving at his right, a thick column of 4 or 5
thousand men. Started with gun and canon shots, then he attacked with energy the Plaza, a lot
of times rejected. At 12:30 of that day, the first message was sent to Mexico City.
It was a solemn moment. The first Army of the world had crashed on the invincible wall of for
love to our Country, against the chest of the modest Republic soldiers. The most complete
victory had crowned the Anáhuac Eagle. With this victory, our victory was reassured
between the Republic and Zaragoza, who entered into history through the big door.
September 13th.
THE HEROIC CHILDREN
The Cadets from the Military school defended the Chapultepec Castle in 1847; they went beyond
their duty. To the light of the International rights, the military schools are considered as
NON FIGHTING. Nevertheless, some of the Cadets were only children.
When the American army, commanded by General Winfield Scott started the attack to the Chapultepec
Castle on September 13th. 1847, General Montarde, head of the Military School ordered the Cadets
to abandon the Castle, school headquarters, and to reunite with their families. The Cadets
refused to abandon their school, completely aware that their determination meant the sacrifice
of their lives, and stayed there, fearless before death that threatened to write one of the
most glorious pages of our rich history, so rich of heroic events. For this, we should consider
these small soldiers as the cleanest heroes, most pure of our Mother Country. They are:
Lieutenant Juan de la Barrera (1827-1847)
Cadet Juan Escutia (1824-1847)
Cadet Vicente Suárez (1830-1847)
Cadet Fernando Montes de Oca (1829-1847)
Cadet Francisco Marquez (1834-1847)
Cadet Agustín Melgar (1829/1847)
In Mexico City, there is a monument in Memory of the Heroic Children in the entrance of the
Chapultepec Forest (present time has turned into the National History Museum). In which there
are silver and crystal urns deposited, which have the ashes of the Heroic Children.
September 16th.
START OF MEXICO'S INDEPENDENCE
September 16th. 1810, it's not for Mexican people only one more chronological stage, but a date
that has stayed sealed on Mexican History, and in the heart of all Mexican people, because it
marks the initialization of the movement that will give our country Independence and Freedom.
The third century of the Spanish domain was coming to an end, and on this New Spain everything
seemed quiet, peaceful. But, the ideas of Liberty, Independence, equality and justice agitated
the minds and the hearts. Paladins of these ideas, the lawyers Primo de Verdad y Azcarate, and
Fray Melchor de Talamantes, have already entered into history by the martyrdom door. Nevertheless,
peace seemed to reign in the vast New Spain territory.
Peace and tranquility only in appearance. In Guanajuato, Capitain D. Ignacio Ayende Headed one
group of conspirators that tried to promote the Independence in the Country. The Captains
Alameda and Arevalos integrated this group, among others. Then, the center of conscription
changed to Queretaro, where the events happened and gave way to the Insurrection.
DOLORES SCREAM
AsHidalgoand Allende were informed that the
conscription was being discovered and knowing that they didn't have time for deliberations,
Hidalgo said: "Gentlemen, we are lost, there is no other way to go and take the "gachupines"
(another "not so nice way" to call the Spanish people). He ordered to call Mass and in the
Temple, being with Allende, Aldama, Mariano Hidalgo, Santos Villa, Quintana, Moctezuma, and
others, Dolores told the ranchers that were reunited the Independence plan, taking the
command from the Europeans. The reunited group was about 300 men. They were the ones who
initialized the movement that would end on the Independence and Liberty of the Country.
In the Janitzio island, situated in the Patzcuaro lake, in the State of Michoacan, a great
big monument is raised with the figure of the illustrious Priest of Carácuaro and
Nocupetaro Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon, hero and maximum center figure of the second stage
of the Independence Battle. His performance as a militar was brilliant until he declined his
star, and defeated and prisoner, was judged, degraded of his sacerdotal orders and was
executed in San Cristobal Ecatepec on December 22nd. 1815.
November 1st. and 2nd.
DAY OF THE DEATH
Classic Offer on the Day of the Death
This specific Mexican Attitude before death it manifests November 2nd. "The day of the Deceased"
because it is a day consecrated to the dear deceased.
This strange, but very characteristic idea, still it's deeply rooted to the mayor of the
Mexicans, that the deceased is given permission to visit their families that had stayed on
earth, an honorable guest (or something more), to whom we have to celebrate and receive warmly
in the nicest way possible.
The house is decorated with flowers, preferably cempazuchiles (a type of flower), considered
since the Pre-Hispanic Mexico of flowers of the death with paper garlands and images of Saints.
In the biggest room of the house, or in the garden, an altar is improvised where they put an
offering to the Death; one is full of snacks and favorite dishes that they liked more when
they were alive, fresh fruit from the season, some Mexican candy also. The bakers make a
special bread called "Pan de Muerto" (VERY GOOD BTW), the children get gifts crafted specially
for that day, with little tombs, bones made out of clay with legs and arms that can move,
chocolate skulls, or made out of sugar. The ones made out of sugar is an art by itself, making
them is very difficult and not everybody does them, the skull is white, and they put colored
sugar flowers on the forehead, leaving a little space for making a little piece of paper with
different names. The tombs are decorated with flowers, and crowns made out of flowers, in some
towns, people "water" with flowers and leave the road from the tomb to the entrance of the
house, so the deceased won't be lost.
In present time, the custom to honor the death has decreased and changed; but some traditions
are still alive, family members take offerings to the cemetery, light up candles, take fresh
flowers and crowns, baskets with fruit food and jars with drinks, beers, etc. for the hungry
and thirsty deceased because of the long journey.
The Mexican town, in its artistic expression, has taken the death as a joke, and expresses
it's joy of living before the death.
November 20th.
MEXICAN REVOLUTION
The Mexican Revolution of 1910, it's not like the passionate call them, the result of a previous
administration; but it started so that Mexico could win it's Independence and inherit the bad
habits of an inadequate and broken politician organization, social and economical.
It's enough just to remind ourselves that once the Independence was over, men fought between
them to gain it, and they crashed with each other because of their different tendencies,
causing a deplorable disorientation in the recent liberated tow. It started what it seemed an
infinite era of Revolutions, conspirations, etc.; convulsions originated for the ambitions,
passions, intolerance's, prejudice and resentment. One simple look to Mexican History will be
enough to understand it like this, because it's the immediate evidence. All of these lasted
until the Government from General Porfirio Diaz was coming, and when the Country obtained an
era of peace and progress. It was necessary for that one strong hand like Diaz, who placed the
Country on the map of the civilized and progresits nations, creating abroad trust towards the
born Country on the map of the civilized and progressive nation, creating abroad trus towards
the developing borning Country and, everything would have gone better if during the prolonged
ruling of the General Diaz the social, politician and economical evolution hasn't stopped and,
manifestations increased in numbers, of the unhappiness towards a regimen that hasn't been
doing their function correctly.
This is how the Revolution exploded, that would disintegrate the Country during long years,
that the elevated cost of more than one million lives.
Madero writes the San Luis Plan
Exhiled in the United States, Mr. Francisco I. Madero gave the San Luis Revolutionary plan,
not recognizing the President of the Republic, the Vice-president the Legislative and Juridical
powers. Determined one revolutionary political and military organization, setting November 20th.
1910 as the date settled for the armed revolution to begin.
Ayala's Plan
Undoubtedly Ayala's Plan is one of the most consistent documents and the one with more social
and human content. This plan was signed and approved in revolutionary heads meeting of the
south, in the Ayala Ville, on November 25th. 1911. On this document The President Madder was
unrecognized, accusing him of weak and unable to do the Revolution postulate. He said: "We are
partidaries of the principles, and not of the men". His postlude was: "The earth is for who
works for it with his hands". His slogan: "Earth and Liberty".
DON MIGUEL HIDALGO Y COSTILLA
Mexican Priest who initiated Mexico's Independence, known as the "Father of the Mother Country".
Born on May 8th. 1753 in the San Vicente Ranch, in the Corralejo Hacienda, in Penjamo, Guanajuato,
being son of Don Cristobal Hidalgo y Costilla, and Mrs. Maria Gallega Mandarte.
Studied and received the Sacred orders in Valladolid, in S. Nicolas School, later on Teacher
and Principal of the same school.
Was Priest of Colima S. Felipe and Dolores. Very cultured and progresist man, taught his
followers crafts and small industries (carpentry, blacksmithing, pottery, sericulture,
viticulture, etc.). Was great general of the Insurgents Army, Triumph on Guanajuato and Las
Cruces. Then, after several defeats and when he was on his way to U.S.A., to get ammunition,
was betrayed by Elizondo in the Norias de Bajan, imprisoned and taken to Chihuahua, he was
executed on July 3rd. 1811.Back
IGNACIO ZARAGOZA
Born in Bahia de Espiritu Santo, in the THEN State of Coahuila and Texas, on March 24th. 1829.
When the invasion of Northamerica took place to defend the insulted Mother Country. In 1853
rolled into the Army again, in which he had separated to be dedicated to commerce. Helped on
the Ayutla Revolution (1855), participating outstanding in combats. In 1857 he got married
with Rafaela Padilla y de la Garza. On that same year, Commonfort gave a coup d'etat, and
Zaragoza went up into arms to defend the Constitution; for his merits in campaign reached the
rank o General of the brigade. After defeating the Calamada Queretaro Army (1859), continued
to the Capital, in which Zaragoza couldn't take it, because he had a very small Army. Backed
up with his men and kept harvesting victories (in Silao and Lomas de Calderón).
Finally in Calpulalpan (1860) battle that put an end to the Reform war took place, with one
indisputable victory by the liberals. On April 1861, being already Minister in front of the
battle, he resigned to his position and he took command of the Mexican troops. May 5th., in
Puebla, Zaragoza defeat the French the same year of his great triumph, he felt sick, on the
8th. he passed away, victim of Tifo, in the city of Puebla, the Plaza that would give him
eternal fame.Back
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Copyright © 1998 Marcia Chabert
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