deliriouslove1970. The life & times of Gary and Denise Flanders. (Free and worth every penny. If you would like to compliment the editor, send to garytheflan@deliriouslove1970.com. If you would like to complain, call your mother.)

Bandera de Me’xico. The flag of Mexico. It is vertical tricolor of green; white and red. Charged in the middle white section is the national coat of arms. The overall design has been consistent since 1821.

The coat of arms is based on the Aztec symbol for Tenochtitlan [Mexico City]. The story is that the gods told the Aztecs to build a city where they find an eagle gripping a snake in it’s talon while sitting on a prickly pear cactus on a rock.

There have been earlier flags used for the nation. Prior to the war of independence against Spain, 1810, for a short time there was a hastily designed flag to unify the people. The Banderas gemelas de Allende (The Twin Flags from Allendas) featuring the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Mexican Revolution Day is an official government holiday, celebrated annually in Mexico, this year on November 17. The Mexican Revolution, initiated by Francisco I. Madero on November 20, 1910, led to the overthrow of dictator Porfirio Díaz after his 35-year rule. Madero, who had opposed Díaz in the 1910 election, was imprisoned but escaped, issuing the Plan of San Luis Potosí to declare the election results fraudulent and call for a revolt. The revolution culminated in significant social and political changes, including the 1917 Constitution, which introduced labor reforms like the 8-hour workday, abolished child labor, and promoted equal pay. The commemoration of the revolution is celebrated as a national holiday, though the style of celebration has evolved over the years, including modifications to the parade schedule and location. Since 2006, the holiday has been observed on the third Monday of November, and the 2019 reinstatement of the civil-military-athletic parade marked a return to traditional observances.

Outdoor events such as bazaars, festivals and parades are part of the Revolution Day celebrations, where shouts of “Viva la Revolución!” and “Viva Mexico!” are heard. Stories are told or sung about the revolutionary heroes who ended the struggle and helped to reform Mexico. Festive foods include enchiladas, tostadas, tacos, and fajitas. The Mexican flag – a tricolor of green, white and red with the national coat of arms in the center of the white stripe – is flown on Revolution Day.

I fly the Mexican Flag in admiration and appreciation for the rich and beautiful Mexican Heritage and Culture, and for all of our loved ones and close friends in Denver.