Mexican Fiestas

Fiestas are an essential part of the Mexican culture. It seems that every day there is a Fiesta somewhere in Mexico. The fact that Mexico has so many different holidays and regional festivals offers the opportunity to sample Mexican celebrations throughout the entire year.

Fiestas Patrias is a Spanish phrase meaning "Patriotic Holidays".

The Fiestas Patrias in Mexico originated in the 19th century. They are observed today as public holidays. Aniversario de la Constitución (Constitution Day) commemorates the Constitution of 1917, promulgated after the Mexican Civil War on February 5.

Natalicio de Benito Juárez (Birth of Benito Juárez) commemorates President Benito Juárez's birthday on March 21, 1806. Juárez is popularly regarded as an exemplary politician due to his liberal policies that, among other things, defined the traditionally strict separation of the church and the Mexican state.

Día del Trabajo (Labor Day) commemorates the Mexican workers' union movements on May 1 - specifically, the 1906 Cananea, Sonora, and the 1907 Río Blanco, Veracruz, labor unrest and repression.

Grito de Dolores (on the evening of September 15th) and Aniversario de la Independencia (September 16th) commemorates Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla's Grito de Dolores - on September 16, 1810, in the village of Dolores, near Guanajuato. Hidalgo called for the end of Spanish rule in Mexico. On October 18, 1825, the Republic of Mexico officially declared September 16th its national Independence Day.

Aniversario de la Revolución commemorates the Mexican Revolution which started on November 20, 1910 when Francisco I. Madero planned an uprising against dictator Porfirio Díaz's 34-year-long iron rule. Although November 20 is the official day, the uprising started on different days in different parts of the country.

Cinco de mayo is not an important national holiday in Mexico. That distinction is reserved for Dieciséis de septiembre, which is celebrated from the evening of September 15 with a re-creation of the Grito de Dolores by all executive office-holders (from the President of the Republic down to municipal presidents) and lasts through the night. In contrast, Cinco de mayo is observed mostly at a local level (Puebla State) and is a minor Bank Holiday in the rest of Mexico.