Revolution Day - Dia de la Revolucion

The 20th of November is the Día de la Revolución in Mexico, a day for Mexicans to remember and commemorate the Mexican Revolution which was fundamental to Mexico's development as a modern nation. This year the Revolution Day holiday was moved forward to the 16th, so we're enjoying a long weekend (called a "puente" in Spanish), but some civic events and parades will still be taking place on the 20th.

Revolution Day is celebrated on the 20th of November because this is the date in 1910 that Francisco Madero set in his Plan de San Luis Potosi for the people to rise up in arms against president Porfirio Diaz. The ten years of the Mexican Revolution saw great destruction, war and mayhem and left a deep mark in Mexican culture. Read this short overview to get a grasp of the main events, causes and outcomes of the Mexican Revolution, or read a detailed explanation from About.com's Guide to Latin American History, Christopher Minster.

Find out about other Mexican national holidays.