Mexican Constitution Day
Mexico has celebrated the anniversary of its constitution on February 5th every year traditionally but current Mexican labor law, effective 2006, has established that the Mexican Constitution be honored as an official holiday on the first Monday of February, regardless of the actual date. It is one of Mexico’s Fiestas Patrias or Patriotic Holidays. So this year the celebration of Constitution Day is February. Most everything will be closed for this celebration with the exception of restaurants, activities, and retail.
Mexico has had several constitutions throughout their history since its independence from Spain in 1810. They are the Constitution of 1824, the Constitution of 1857 and the Constitution of 1917, which is currently in effect. This constitution was drafted during the Mexican Revolution (1910-1921) and officially adopted as the Mexican Constitution on February 5th, 1917.
Article 1 deals with the rights of the individual to personal freedom and forbids the practices of slavery and personal discrimination.
Article 2 establishes Mexico as a unique and indivisible nation and enforces the preservation of its multicultural heritage.
Article 3 establishes the right of equal and unbiased education for all.
The balance of the articles of the Mexican Constitution figure the establishment of equality for all under the laws of the land; freedom of expression, speech and the press; the right of citizens to petition in a peaceful manner and exercise freedom of assembly; freedom of religion, the prohibition of monopolies; the protection of the rights of workers; the separation of church and state.
Constitution Day in Mexico is celebrated with parades, festivals, and families getting together. Mexican pride is felt throughout the entire country, and often the president addresses the country on national television. February 5th is the day that the constitution was signed, and to celebrate, the sale of liquor is stopped from February 2nd until the midnight on the 5th
If you are in Cabo for this holiday enjoy the festivities!
