Fiestas Patrias

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Fiestas Patrias is a Spanish phrase meaning "Patriotic Holidays".

Mexico

Mexico's fiestas patrias originated in the 19th century. They are observed today as public holidays.

In chronological order:

Día de la Constitución (Constitution Day) commemorates the Constitution of 1917, promulgated after the Mexican Civil War on February 5. Article 74 of the Mexican labor law (Ley Federal del Trabajo) provides that the first Monday of February (regardless the date) will be an official holiday in Mexico. This was a modification of the law made in 2005, effective since 2006; before, it was the February 5th regardless of the day, and all schools gave extended holidays if the day was a Tuesday or Thursday.

Natalicio de Benito Juárez commemorates President Benito Juárez's birthday on March 21, 1806. Juárez is popularily regarded as an exemplary politician due to his liberal policies that, among other things, defined the traditionally strict separation of the church and the Mexican state.

Día del Trabajo (Labor Day) commemorates the Mexican workers' union movements on May 1 — specifically, the 1906 Cananea, Sonora, and the 1907 Río Blanco, Veracruz, labor unrest and repression.

Cinco de Mayo commemorates General Ignacio Zaragoza's victory on May 5, 1862, over the French expeditionary forces in the Battle of Puebla. The importance of this day, is that a disorganized army made of Indians who were barely armed (they had just wooden sticks, machetes and similar items), defeated the French Army, at the time considered the best army in the world. The victory was achieved because of the size of the army and the spirit of the Indians. After the victory, General Ignacio Zaragoza sent a telegram to Mexico City saying "Las Armas Nacionales se han cubierto de gloria", meaning "The National Arms have been covered with glory".

Dieciséis de septiembre or Día de la Independencia commemorates Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla's Grito de Dolores — on September 16, 1810, in the village of Dolores, near Guanajuato. Hidalgo called for the end of Spanish rule in Mexico. On September 16, 1825, the Republic of Mexico officially declared the day its national Independence Day.

Día de la Revolución commemorates the Mexican Revolution which started on November 20, 1910 when Francisco I. Madero planned an uprising against dictator Porfirio Díaz's three-decade-long iron rule. Article 74 of the Mexican labor law (Ley Federal del Trabajo) provides that the third Monday of November (regardless the date) will be an official holiday in Mexico. This was a modification of the law made in 2005, effective since 2006; before then, it was November 20 regardless of the day, and all schools gave extended holidays if the day was a Tuesday or Thursday. Although November 20 is the official day, the uprising started on different days in different parts of the country.

Contrary to popular wisdom (particularly as manifested in the United States), Cinco de mayo is not the most important national holiday in Mexico. That distinction is reserved for Dieciséis de septiembre, which is celebrated from the evening of September 15 with a re-creation of the Grito de Dolores by all executive office-holders (from the President of the Republic down to municipal presidents) and lasts through the night. In contrast, Cinco de mayo is observed as a notable date, but it is not considered more or less important than, for example, Constitution Day or Benito Juárez's birthday.

Chile

In Chile, the name fiestas patrias is reserved for the holidays of September 18 (dieciocho de septiembre, or simply el dieciocho), Independence Day and September 19, Glories of the Army.

Fiestas Patrias

Mexico

Chile

See also