Revolution Day (Mexico) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Day of the Revolution |
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Children from the Montessori Kindergarten singing "La Cucaracha"
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| Official name | Día de la Revolución |
| Observed by | Mexico |
| Type | National |
| Significance | Anniversary of the start of the Mexican Revolution, one of five Fiestas Patrias |
| Celebrations | parades |
| Date | November 20 |
| Frequency | annual |
Revolution Day is a special holiday in Mexico. It happens every year on November 20th. This day celebrates the start of the Mexican Revolution, a very important time in Mexico's history. It's one of Mexico's five "Fiestas Patrias," or national holidays.
Contents
Understanding the Mexican Revolution's Start
The Mexican Revolution began because people wanted change. For 35 years, a general named Porfirio Díaz was president of Mexico. Many people felt he had too much power.
In 1910, a wealthy landowner named Francisco I. Madero wanted to become president. He ran against Díaz. But Díaz had Madero put in jail.
Madero's Call for Action
Madero managed to escape from jail. On October 6, 1910, he wrote a famous message called the Plan of San Luis Potosí. In this message, Madero said that the 1910 election was unfair. He said that he should be the temporary president.
Madero then asked all Mexicans to stand up against Díaz. He told them to start a rebellion on November 20, 1910. He wrote, "Throw the people who took power unfairly from their positions. Get back your rights as free people." He reminded them of their brave ancestors.
Celebrating Revolution Day in Mexico
Revolution Day is a big official holiday across Mexico. For many years, the main celebrations took place in Mexico City's Zocalo, a large public square.
Sometimes, big parades were changed or moved. For example, after some sad events in 2014, the parades were held in a different place. They were even moved to a different date in some years.
Parades and Public Events
During the presidency of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the traditional parades came back in 2019. These parades often include both civilians and military members. Athletes also join in, showing their skills.
These celebrations happen in major cities all over Mexico. They are a way for people to remember the important events of the revolution.
Impact of the Mexican Revolution
The Mexican Revolution was one of the first big revolutions of the 20th century. It changed Mexico a lot.
Changes for Mexican People
Many Mexicans moved to the United States during and after the revolution. They were looking for new opportunities.
The revolution also led to a new constitution in 1917. This constitution brought important changes. It set limits on how long politicians could be in power. This helped make sure leaders didn't stay too long.
New Labor Laws
The 1917 Constitution also included new laws to protect workers. These laws said that people should work only 8 hours a day. They also made child labor illegal. Plus, they said that everyone should get equal pay for the same work. These changes helped make life better for many people in Mexico.
When is Revolution Day?
The date for Revolution Day is set by Mexican labor law. It says that the holiday will always be on the third Monday of November.
This rule started in 2006. Before that, it was always on November 20th, no matter what day of the week it was. If November 20th fell on a Tuesday or Thursday, schools would often give students a longer holiday break. Now, it's always a long weekend for many people.
See also
In Spanish: Día de la Revolución (México) para niños
