Constitution Day Mexico

What makes Mexico’s Constitution Day different from the rest? It celebrates not one, but two Constitutions! Taking place on February 5, the Día de la Constitución looks back to the signing of Mexico’s 1857 Constitution as well as the 1917 Constitution.

The Mexican Constitution signed on February 5, 1857 was the second in the country’s history. After Santa Anna’s dictatorship was overthrown, many reforms were created in the new Constitution to reaffirm Mexican rights like freedom of speech, and also to ban the death penalty and titles of nobility.

On February 5, 1917, Mexico witnessed even further progress with the signing of a third Constitution spearheaded by the leaders of the Mexican Revolution. Famous heroes like Pancho Villa, Francisco I. Madero and Emiliano Zapato led a rebellion against President Porfirio Diaz, who had been in power for over 30 years, and they began to implement big changes that would influence the country’s history forever. The new 1917 Constitution limited presidential terms to 6 years with no possibility for reelection.

While many view Día de la Constitución as a nationwide day off in Mexico, it marks two powerful events in Mexican history. This February 5, don’t forget to take a moment to appreciate all those who have fought for this nation’s freedom.