Why November 20th is Important to Mexico

Santa Rosalia celebrated the 20th of November with a grand parade. Children climbed out of the woodwork to participate and the streets were blocked off for the majority of the day. What is so special about November 20th?

As is with most Third World countries, Mexico's wealthy and powerful were in control in the early 1900's while the majority of the population worked in poverty. General Díaz ran the show until finally he was opposed by Francisco Madero, a well educated and reform seeking man. Madero led a series of strikes throughout the country and won the election against Díaz in 1910.

Feeling duped and also that the people of Mexico just weren't ready for democracy, Díaz imprisoned Madero. But Madero didn't stop. Once he was released from prison,  he continued to try and overthrow Díaz. Mexican folk heroes began to emerge... Pancho Villa in the north, and the peasant Emiliano Zapata in the south. Eventually, Díaz was unable to control the spread of the insurgence and resigned in May, 1911, with the signing of the Treaty of Ciudad Juárez.

Madero was elected president then, but received opposition from Emiliano Zapata who didn't wish to wait for the orderly implementation of Madero's desired land reforms. Zapata quickly denounced Madero and took the position for himself. He became a Robin Hood in the state of Morelos, where he chased out the estate owners and divided their lands to the peasants. In 1919, Zapata was assassinated by General Pablo Gonzalez. As the country continued to break down into many factions, chaos ensued. Madero was eventually taken prisoner and also executed.

Venustiano Carranza rose to the presidency and implemented the Constitution of 1917, which is still in effect today. Land reform was created. This resulted in the ejido, or farm cooperative program, that redistributed much of the country's land from the wealthy land holders to the peasants.

November 20th commemorates the time back in 1910 when Madero denounced President Díaz, was elected president of Mexico and called for a national insurrection. The Faulkner Family was in Santa Rosalia, Mexico 100 years afterwards participating in the festivities.