November 20 – Revolution Day in Mexico

November 20, 2020

Posted on November 20, 2020

Rise up! Throw the usurpers from power! Recover your rights!

These are some of the messages presidential
candidate Francisco Madero gave to his fellow Mexican citizens, asking them to overthrow President Porfirio Diaz on this date in 1910.

Diaz had been president for 35 years and had thrown his political opponent, Madero, in jail. He ruled with political bosses using authoritarian methods of controlling people on a local level, and he crafted the police force into his own personal armed forces.

In other words, he was a dictator.

Madero, who was a wealthy landowner, was able to break out of jail and called on all Mexicans to rise up and be, as their ancestors had been, “invincible in war, magnanimous in victory.”

Thus heralded in a decade of struggle – including armed struggles – that was tragic for many. However, the revolution ended up making some changes in Mexico’s government and even its culture – and some of these changes were good. A stronger central government, the 1917 Constitution, term limits (limits on the length of time people could be in power!), the end of child labor, 8-hour workday, equal pay, and at least some questioning of – and a bit of shifting of – gender roles.

Because of a recent labor law, this holiday is often celebrated on the third Monday rather than on the anniversary of the uprising. However, the celebrations and parades have been on-again/off-again because of safety concerns regarding political instability and organized crime – and this year safety concerns regarding the global pandemic may add to the worry. So I decided the write-up may as well feature the historical anniversary date!

Here are some delightful photos of years past: