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Constitution Day |
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The most current Mexican constitution was signed on February 5th, 1917. There were other prior constitutions, but the current Mexican constitution is the culmination of the Mexican revolution that began in 1910. Pancho Villa formed a large army in 1913 that supported new leadership and a new constitution.
An interesting fact is that Pancho Villa was born Doroteo Arangol and he became a fugitive as an adolescent after killing a man who assaulted his sister. He fled to the mountains, changed his name and became a bandit until he joined a rebellion led by Francisco Madero in 1910. When Madero was assassinated in 1913, Villa then formed the army became thousands strong and was known as the Division del Norte (the Division of the North). This is where Villa first met Venustiano Carranza and the Constitutionalists and it was Carranza, who after the defeat of the current regime, was later sworn in as the new President of Mexico.
In 1917, Carranza signed an important convention which led to the creation of the new constitution which was drafted by Santiago de Querétaro. The constitution is officially known as the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States or the Fundamental Law of Magna Carta. The newly created Mexican constitution was the first of any Mexican constitutions to set out social rights, emphasizing land reforms and fair land distribution among the poor and is in still in effect today!
We should note that sale of liquor is banned three (3) days prior to the 5th (until midnight), so you will want to "stock" up on that tequila and your favorite liquors so you don't run out if celebrating from your home! Fortunately, the banning of the sale of liquor is only really celebrated in the non tourist areas of Mexico. We are not sure exactly why this initially was mandated other than some think it was possibly due so that Pancho Villa and the army of thousands that fought in the revolution would be sober at the time of the signing. Not really sure if this is the reason because some people claim it was due to everyone drank heavily and on a regular basis back then. Of course, that "never" happens in modern days! or here in Cozumel... HA!
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Copyright 2000 - 2024 Sherri Davis, All Rights Reserved. Contributors retain the copyright to their work. Please do not take art or written content without permission. Other graphics and reference materials are used and attributed as per the Fair Use Provision of The Copyright Act and individual terms of use.
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