Monday, Feb 21
Feb 5 is Constitution Day.
The Mexican Constitution, adopted in 1917 is considered by many to be one of the most radical and comprehensive constitutions in modern political history.
It was the first to guarantee the rights of women, ethnic minorities, and the handicapped in all spheres of life, including the workplace.
It provides for a free and compulsory public, non-religious primary and secondary school education. It guarantees workers the right to organize and the right to strike, as well as an eight-hour workday and a living minimum wage. It also decrees that Mexican citizens be given priority in hiring in both the public and private spheres.
Benito Juarez's birthday is celebrated March 21. Called 'the Worthy' of the Americas, Juarez was a Zapotec Indian from Oaxaca who served as president five times between 1858 and 1872.
The story goes that he admired President Abraham Lincoln, visited him, and then set up laws of reform which helped make Mexico a modern, secular, democracy by establishing the separation of Church and State.
Every town has a Benito Juarez avenue and most will have a statue of him as well.
Let's hope they can keep their constitution strong for their people.
Hmmm ... aliens ate my comment it seems. I was wondering if Constitution Day is when you saw the parades earlier in your visit. Though I suppose I could click back through and figure it out. ;-)
ReplyDeleteNo, that was just a spontaneous parade against some local politics!
ReplyDelete