Flag Day, or ‘Día de la Bandera’ as it’s known in Mexico, is celebrated on February 24 every year, since it was first established. For those who did not know, the modern-day Mexican flag depicts an eagle atop a cactus, eating a snake. This fascinating emblem stems from an Aztec legend where this sight was witnessed by the Aztecs and taken to be a sign from the gods. As a result, they built their empire on that spot, and today, that spot is Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. Therefore this day is a celebration of national pride for Mexicans the world over, and we are thrilled to join in the celebrations too, as a sign of solidarity and appreciation for all the Mexican culture contributes.
HISTORY OF FLAG DAY MEXICO
Día de la Bandera (Flag Day) was first founded by General Lazaro Cardenas, the then-President of Mexico, in 1937. The event took place in front of a monument dedicated to General Vicente Guerrero — the first person to pledge allegiance to the flag of Mexico, back in 1821. However, the origins of this day can be traced back even further, to 1935, when Benito Ramirez, an employee of the Bank of Mexico, set up a special honor guard to celebrate the Mexican flag.
It was in 1821 that the Mexican flag was designed by Jose Magdaleno Ocampo, with the three colors representing religion, independence, and unity — the three key guarantees of the ‘Plan de Iguala.’ The Mexican flag is commonly known as the ‘Pendon Trigarante,’ and soon after it was designed, Mexico gained its independence from Spain. Today, the colors represent hope, purity, and blood.
It’s a day to recognize the struggle for independence against Spain, which the nation fought for, for 11 long years (known as the War of Independence). This war with Spain stretched from 1810 to 1821, following which the Catholic monarchy was overthrown and Mexico was declared as a federal republic (1823), consolidated in the Constitution in 1824. Though it is not an official holiday in Mexico, it is still a day that is celebrated with pride, as Mexicans hoist the flag atop buildings and businesses, and watch the military raise a giant Mexican flag as well. Further celebrations include a civic-military parade and an official event at the Mexican National Palace. Community celebrations can include plays and historical re-enactments
