Tag Archives: Diaz

Nov11

November 11

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November 11

It was called Remembrance Day in Canada when I was growing up. I always thought it unfair that we had to go to school for a service while my dad had to close his business and got to stay at home. I remember that all students in the school congregated in the gymnasium. We sang O Canada and O God Our Help In Ages Past. There was the standard Last Post and Reveille. I recall men in uniform and a speaker. We all wore poppies. We sang God Save The Queen. And after about an hour we were dismissed and allowed to go home.

In 2016 I was in Leavenworth, Washington on November 11th. Veteran’s Day in America meant honoring all those who had served in the armed forces. Restaurants offered specials for veterans. Tables were decorated with American flags. There was a more festive feel to this day than what I had experienced previously on November 11th in Canada.

In Mexico November 11th is not recognized as the big holiday in the month. That honor goes to Revolution Day on November 20th, although November 17th is the day people take off in order to have a long weekend. Banks and government buildings are closed as well as many businesses.

Revolution Day marks the beginning of the Mexican Revolution in 1910. Madero led a group of followers up against the dictator Diaz, demanding equality and a more democratic country. Parades and historical reenactments are common on this day.

Today is November 11th. This afternoon Ricardo is bringing me enchiladas and taquitos. Then I will go to a cafe to facilitate my weekly Conversation Club with Mexicans who are eager to improve their grasp of the English language.

Enjoy your day.

Nov17

Revolution Day

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Revolution Day

I doubt that I’ll be alive thirty years from now but it sure would be interesting to read all the history books at that time. I always found American history far more interesting than Canadian history. And now that I spend so much time here in Mexico, I have become more familiar with this country’s history.

November 20th is an official government holiday and is known as Dia de la Revolucion or Revolution Day. It commemorates the beginning of the Mexican Revolution back in 1910.

Diaz was an army general who served as president from 1876-1911. That’s a thirty-five year term. It’s not surprising that Mexicans felt that they needed a change. Madero, a wealthy landowner, ran against Diaz in the 1910 presidential election. However Diaz jailed Madero.

Madero escaped from jail and on October 6, 1910 he issued the Plan of San Luis Potosi, declaring the results of the 1910 election fraudulent and nullified them. He declared himself the provisional president and encouraged Mexicans to rise up against Diaz on November 20, 1910.

One of the results from the Mexican Revolution was that many Mexicans came up north to live in the United States as legal immigrants. Over one million Mexicans, some undocumented, made their way across the border. It wasn’t until four years later that a border patrol was created.

In 1917, a new constitution put limits on the number of terms politicians could serve. It also introduced new labor laws that included abolishing child labor.

Yes, Mexico has its own colorful history.

Nov20

Experiences Versus Things

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Experiences Versus Things

I’m really enjoying the course I’m taking from Yale University right now. It’s one of the best ones I’ve taken in a long time. This week the discussion has centered around experiences versus things and how they affect happiness. Some interesting strategies have been presented and I’ve already been implementing some of them. The weekly assignments are challenging and I actually look forward to the hours I spend both inside and outside of class while taking this course.

Buen Fin is this weekend in Mexico. It’s a time when I avoid the stores. There are way too many people cramming the aisles in search of bargains. This is Mexico’s version of Black Friday. I’m not interested in fighting crowds when I shop. I much prefer a more leisurely experience. Yes. I know. I can shop online. But I’m old school. I still prefer the hands on and in person experience. And that is why it took me two years to replace my laptop that bit the dust when Covid first hit.

Monday is also Revolution Day here in Mexico. It’s actually a government holiday and not a religious one. Although the date is really November 20th, it’s being celebrated on Monday the 21st to make it a long weekend. Mexicans are big on their history. In my teaching days my students would always have essays to write about this day. Diaz had been president for thirty-five years. In the presidential election of 1910, a wealthy landowner named Madero opposed Diaz. Diaz had Madero thrown in jail. However Madero escaped from jail and issued the Plan of San Luis Potosi, declaring himself as president and nullifying the election. Madero encouraged Mexicans to rise up against Diaz. This was the start of the Mexican Revolution.

Other news here in Aguascalientes this week. A helicopter crashed in Jesus Maria killing five people. Luckily the pilot was able to bring it down in a vacant lot. However the state security minister was one of the five who died. This tragedy is on the heels of a Pemex oil truck that failed to beat the train. After the train hit the truck, it wound up crashing into an overpass destroying a major traffic artery in the city, as well as setting several homes on fire.

Choose experiences over things. Share them with others. Watch your happiness soar.

Have a great Sunday!

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