Celebration of el Dia de la Revolución

Even though Monday was the official national holiday of el Día de la revolución (3rd Monday of November), today is el veinte de noviembre (20th of November) so the historical date of the Revolution.

At this day, the Mexicans remember and celebrate the Revolution of 1910 to 1920. But why is it celebrated at the 20th of November? I will try to explain what happened that day…

Francisco I. Madero was one of many people in mexico who were tired of Díaz’ (President) authoritarian rule. Madero formed the Anti-Reelectionist Party and ran against Diaz, but the elections were rigged and Díaz won. Diaz set Madero in jail, but upon his release he fled to Texas and wrote a plan which urged the people to rise up in arms against the government. The date of November 20th was set for the revolt to begin.

The first shots of the revolution were fired on November 18 at the home of Aquiles Serdán, which is now the Museo de la Revolución. This is because the authorities discovered that Aquiles Serdán and his family were planning to participate in the revolution. The rest of the revolutionaries joined the fight on November 20th as planned, and that is still considered the official beginning of the Mexican Revolution.

Dia de la Revolución, Celebration of el Dia de la Revolución

Nowadays they celebrate el veinte de noviembre (20th of November) with parades and civic ceremonies throughout the enitre country. There is a large parade in Mexico City’s Zocalo, as well as speeches and official ceremonies. In cities and towns throughout Mexico schoolchildren dress themselves as revolutionaries to participate in local parades.

If you like to know more about the Mexican traditions and holidays, read my other blog about the celebration of el Día de los Muertos (Day of the dead), at the 2nd of November!

– Chantal van den Boogaert

EcoColors Team.