Celebration of Mexican political anniversaries in 2010 facts for kids
In 2010, Mexico celebrated two huge milestones: the 200th anniversary of its Independence and the 100th anniversary of its Revolution. President Felipe Calderón declared the whole year "Año de la Patria," meaning "Year of the Nation."
Mexico's Independence Day is on September 16. It marks the day in 1810 when Miguel Hidalgo called for people to fight against the Spanish rulers. The Mexican Revolution started on November 20, 1910. On this day, leaders like Pancho Villa and Pascual Orozco began an uprising against President Porfirio Díaz. These celebrations aimed to connect Mexico's past with its present identity. President Calderón encouraged Mexicans to think about their history and what kind of future they wanted to build.
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Mexico's Big Birthday Dates
The two main dates, September 16 and November 20, mark the start of Mexico's War of Independence and the Mexican Revolution.
Independence Day: "El Grito"
The anniversary of Independence is called "El Grito" (The Shout or The Cry). It happens at 11 PM on September 15. The next day, September 16, is Mexico's official Independence Day. "El Grito" is a re-enactment of the call made by Miguel Hidalgo in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, on September 16, 1810. He urged his community to fight against the Spanish government. Every year, this re-enactment takes place in Mexico City's main square, the Zócalo, and in main plazas across the country.
Revolution Day: November 20
November 20 marks the start of the Mexican Revolution. This was a major uprising and civil war from 1910 to 1920. Francisco I. Madero chose this date in his "Plan of San Luis Potosí" to begin a revolt against President Porfirio Díaz. Díaz had jailed Madero instead of accepting his election victory in 1910. Even though some fighting started earlier, November 20 is still the official start date.
Getting Ready for the Celebrations
A national committee was set up in 2006 to plan the celebrations. President Felipe Calderón officially started the organizing committee in 2007. Many preparations involved building new things and fixing old ones. Events were planned not just in Mexico but also in Mexican embassies around the world. Mexico also worked with other Latin American countries celebrating their 200th anniversaries, like Argentina and Chile. They coordinated debates, publications, and festivals.
On September 6, 2009, President Calderón lit the "Bicentennial Fire." This flame traveled across Mexico for a year, ending on Independence Day. TV shows also promoted the celebrations and retold historical stories. In Mexico State, six cities were named "Bicentennial Cities" and received improvements. In Guerrero, the National Institute of Anthropology and History worked to make Chilpancingo's old downtown a historic site. This was because many important events from both wars happened there.
Large digital clocks in the Zocalo in Mexico City counted down to September 15 and November 20, 2010. Similar clocks were placed in the capital cities of all 31 states.
Projects for the Bicentennial
Many projects were started to celebrate these important anniversaries.
Historical Routes
One of the most visible projects was "Ruta 2010" (Route 2010). Signs for these routes appeared on highways across Mexico. These routes connect monuments and places important to the War of Independence and the Revolution. The government's Secretariat of Communications and Transportation helped mark these roads and provide tourist information.
These routes are divided by the historical events they follow:
- Independence Road: This route follows Miguel Hidalgo's path from Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, to Chihuahua. It traces the first battles of the War of Independence and ends where Hidalgo was executed.
- Sentiments of the Nation Route: Named after a famous document by José María Morelos, this route follows his campaigns through several states like Michoacán and Guerrero.
- Three Guarantees Route: This route maps the campaigns of Agustín de Iturbide, who successfully ended the War of Independence in 1821. It runs from Iguala, Guerrero, to Mexico City.
Routes for the Mexican Revolution include:
- Democracy Route: This route mostly follows Francisco I. Madero's journey from Ciudad Juárez to Mexico City after he was elected president in 1911.
- Zapatista Route: This traces the operations of Emiliano Zapata's forces through states like Morelos and Puebla.
- Constitutionalist Revolution Route: This combines the paths of other key Revolution leaders like Venustiano Carranza and Álvaro Obregón. These routes cover many northern and central states.
Building and Restoration Projects
Many historical buildings and sites were restored for the Bicentennial. The Casa de Allende Museum in Guanajuato was one of the first to be restored. It reopened in 2009 after two years of work. The Alhóndiga de Granaditas, a historic building where an early independence battle took place, also received major improvements.
A large new infrastructure project called "Ruta 2010" was created. It includes six new routes to help Mexicans understand and visit historical zones. These routes make it easier and faster to access important historical places, many of which were hard to reach before.
Another project, "Mexico es mi Museo" (Mexico is my Museum), involved placing special signs at historical sites. These signs invite people to visit museums and learn about the role each place played in Mexico's history.
Other Projects
- Bicentennial Park: This new ecological park in Mexico City includes interactive museums, sports fields, bike paths, and green areas. It aims to promote cultural health.
- Corredor Madero: A pedestrian street in Mexico City's historic center was created. It helps recover public spaces for people to enjoy.
- Bicentennial Arc: A monument designed by young Mexican architects was planned for Paseo de la Reforma. It represents Mexico's struggles and dreams for the future.
Cultural and Media Projects
Many cultural projects were launched, including art exhibits around the world, historic tours, and the opening of 10 new archaeological sites. Thirty museums were also remodeled.
The TV network Televisa produced historical TV shows to commemorate the events. One show was "Gritos de muerte y libertad" (Shouts of Death and Liberty), which told stories from Mexican history. The "Bicentennial Olympics" also took place, featuring sports events like swimming and basketball. The Mexican Navy had a traveling exhibition about the War of Independence and the Revolution.
Museum Exhibits
President Calderón wanted to turn Mexico into the "biggest museum in the world." The "Mexico is my museum" project aimed to help Mexicans learn about their past using cell phone messages at historical sites.
A special exhibition called "Mexico 200 años. La patria en construccion" (Mexico 200 years. The nation under construction) was opened at the National Palace in Mexico City. It featured over 550 historical items, including the independence act, the sword of José María Morelos, and the Virgin of Guadalupe banner. This exhibition encouraged Mexicans to reflect on 200 years of independent life.
Celebration Events
Mexico City Celebrations
On the night of September 15, 2010, about a million people gathered at the Zocalo and the Angel of Independence in Mexico City. They celebrated two hundred years of freedom.
The Angel of Independence hosted a concert with popular musicians. At the Zocalo, celebrations began with a "Ritual del Fuego" ceremony. After that, mariachi groups and theater performances entertained the crowd. Two big shows, "Arbol de la Vida" (Tree of Life) and "Vuela Mexico" (Fly Mexico), told Mexico's history through figures and acrobatics.
At 11:00 PM, President Felipe Calderón appeared on the balcony of the National Palace. He rang the liberty bell and shouted the names of the independence heroes, just like Miguel Hidalgo did. The national anthem was played, and a spectacular fireworks show followed.
A large military parade took place on September 16, 2010. It included 18,000 soldiers from the Mexican army, navy, and air force. Military groups from other countries like Germany, Argentina, and the United States also participated. The parade featured vehicles, horses, and airplanes.
Northern Mexico Celebrations
Celebrations across northern Mexico on September 15 and 16, 2010, varied by state. Many local governments remodeled historic areas and organized military parades. For example, in Sonora, the "Bicentenario Plaza" was rebuilt for the main ceremony.
In states closer to Mexico City, like Michoacán, security was very tight due to past incidents. In Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, President Felipe Calderón re-enacted the original "Grito" spoken by Miguel Hidalgo. Other states like Coahuila and Colima held traditional ceremonies with music, dances, fireworks, and parties.
In northwestern states like Aguascalientes and Jalisco, civic-military parades were held. These parades included students from schools and members of security institutions.
Governors in states like Nuevo León and Tamaulipas started celebrations with a civic ceremony. They took possession of the flag and then gave "el Grito de Independencia." They mentioned the names of independence heroes and ended with fireworks and the inauguration of new monuments or public buildings.
Southern Mexico Celebrations
Southern states like Tabasco, Veracruz, and Oaxaca also celebrated with the traditional "Grito" on September 15 and a military parade on September 16. Each state added its own traditions.
In Oaxaca, the "Grito" was given in the city's Zocalo, followed by fireworks. The military parade began the next day. Chiapas had similar celebrations and also honored the day it became an official state. Veracruz had a large parade with many participants, including marching bands and people dressed in Mexican flag colors.
In Mérida, Yucatán, people gathered at the "Monumento a la Patria." The singer Juan Gabriel, mariachis, and a rock band provided entertainment. In Guerrero, celebrations included folk ballet, a play, and music.
In Michoacán, the "Grito" was given earlier than planned due to rain. About 3,000 people attended, and there were strict security measures. Tabasco was affected by Hurricane Karl, which caused flooding. The governor suspended the military parade.
Looking Back at the Celebrations
The Bicentennial and Centennial events led to many reflections on Mexico's past and present. Some people saw it as a chance to think about how far Mexico had come. They noted progress in people's participation and the integration of different groups.
However, some felt it wasn't the best time for big celebrations. They pointed to economic challenges and security concerns. Some states even canceled their events. Some people felt the government was spending too much money on celebrations instead of on schools or healthcare.
Despite these criticisms, others believed the events created a "sense of unity" among Mexicans. They felt that coming together for these celebrations helped people face the country's challenges.
Government authorities reported that over a million people attended the celebrations in Mexico City. There were no major incidents, and only a few arrests for minor offenses.
The Secretariat of Public Education (SEP) considered creating a museum for the Bicentennial. They wanted to display the thousands of costumes, floats, puppets, and other items used in the parades and shows. This museum was eventually created. The "Galeria de Palacio Nacional" in the National Palace opened an exhibition called "Mexico 200 años. La patria en construccion." It featured over 550 historical pieces, inviting Mexicans to reflect on their country's journey.
Images for kids
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Panoramic view of the parade of the Bicentenary of Mexico at the Torre del Caballito, Paseo de la Reforma corner of Avenida Juarez, 15.09.2010
See also
In Spanish: Bicentenario de la Independencia de México para niños
