Mexican Revolution Day Celebration
For some two weeks now at about 1:00 in the afternoon while outside on the patio or working around the motor home we could hear in the distance the beating of drums and the blowing of bugles. We learned early on that it was the local school practicing for a special celebration. Today was that celebration.
The parade was to start at 9:00 and we made plans to meet some of our RV park friends at the Avenida Restaurant and from there we could have breakfast and then stay sitting to watch the parade as it passed by.
The parade got under way on Mexican time (around 10:00) and one could tell by the hustle and bustle leading up to its start that this was going to be a big deal. Moms and Dads rushing about helping their little ones get in position. Police cars and police on motorcycles with lights flashing and sirens blaring led the way.
The whole parade was led by the littlest of tykes first all dressed in their finest and prompted by mom or dad as they marched along and then the rest of the parade which strung out for some 3 hours as each group to come by was represented by next in age it seemed. The costumes were representative of the defenders of the revolution or participants. If you ever want to see color used in all its splendor just attend a Mexican celebration.
There were a few of us gringos on the street to witness what was obviously an important day for our friends the local La Penito residents, and we were welcomed and allowed freedom of movement and the taking of photos as the parents and grandparents all beamed with pride as their family members paraded by. If mom or dad saw us struggling to get a good picture of their little ones they would encourage them to pose for us and then grin from ear to ear happy that these strangers in their land wanted to photo them.
We returned to the RV Park happy that we had taken the time to attend the parade and are comforted in knowing that perhaps tomorrow at 1:00 there will not be a need to have drum and bugle practice. We then can practice more easily that new custom we have learned, called siesta.It is hoped that the pictures that follow will give you a flavor for what we were privileged to witness.
If you are still with us, some history can be had by reading the following.
November 20, 1910 was the beginning of the Revolution in Mexico to overthrow Porfirio Diaz. General Diaz had successfully led Mexico during the wars with foreign invaders. His popularity gained him many followers. He and his supporters tried unsuccessfully to overthrow President Benito Juarez in 1872. He did succeed in his rebellion against President Lerdo de Tejada in 1876. Under his rule, Diaz did great things for Mexico creating industry, better railroads, as well as an increase in foreign capital. He had good intentions for Mexico but this prosperity did not help the citizens, especially the peasants and blue collar workers.
Political unrest resulted and the outcome was the creation of the Mexican Liberal Party by Ricardo Flores Magon. Magon was persecuted by the Porfireist regime and died in prison.
Francisco Madero created the “Anti-reeleccionista” Party, being a strong supporter of democracy. President Diaz saw him as a threat. Madero fled to the United States. While in exile he declared himself President Pro-Temp after uncovering information that proved the elections to be a fraud. In this declaration, Madero promised to return all the land that had been taken from them and he called for universal voting rights. His call for an uprising was on November 20th, 1910, marking the beginning of the Mexican Revolution.
This led to a northern uprising led by the famous Francisco Pancho Villa who fought for rights for peasants in that area. In the south, Emilaino Zapata led an uprising to claim their rights over local land and water. Revolts began in other parts of the country. President Diaz was finally defeated and resigned, fleeing to exile in France where he died in 1915.
