By Deborah Charnes Vallejo
PUEBLA -- Mexico has long been a magnet for tourists from Canada and the United States. The coastal resorts seem to always be flooded with the vacationers, even in slow seasons. Over the years there has been an increase in direct flights and charters to the Mexican Riviera, and these beaches are among my favorite stops.
However, 2010 is a special year for Mexico, and tourists should make the effort to take in a bit of history and culture that will be sure to stay with them long after the suntan has faded.
"Dieciseis," or September 16, marks the independence of Mexico from Spain in 1810, and it's always been a special day in Mexico. During the 2009 celebration, flags, papel picado and green, red and white ribbons and posters were displayed prominently on businesses, storefronts, government buildings, and residences in most cities and towns.
One vendor of regional crafts told me each year he spends several weeks in September on the road, but he's always home for Dieciseis.
Many museums underwent renovations and upgrades in 2009, in preparation for the special year of 2010. Posters and bus wraps announce the year which marks the 200th anniversary of Mexico's independence and the 100th anniversary of the start of the Mexican revolution. Signposts throughout Mexico indicate the path to the historic sites.
Puebla, located not far from Mexico City, is a great place to focus for 2010. Since the 1500s, Puebla was an important location. In 1532, Isabel la Catolica granted the city the title of Puebla de los Angeles. The Spaniards settled here because it was a densely populated Indian territory, it was a convenient location between Mexico City and the port of Veracruz and it was an industrious region, center of the ceramics industry from 1540-1560.
North of the Rio Grande, most people equate Cinco de Mayo or Dieciseis de Septiembre with specially priced beer or margaritas, and maybe a few street fairs or parades. But little attention is given the meaning behind these two historic dates, and many gringos are unaware of the importance that France had in the history of Mexico.
Mexico won its freedom from Spain in 1810. Yet, there was foreign debt that led to attacks against Mexico from France, England and Spain. In 1862, Napoleon III sent in 30,000 troops. By March 12, they had advanced to Tehuacán. On May 5, 1862, a very small untrained and poorly armed Mexican battalion won the Battle of Puebla against a large heavily armed French army.
What the Mexicans lacked in arms, they overcompensated with passion and pride. General Ignacio Zaragoza said in his pep talk to the troops that they needed to be heroes and fight for something sacred - their country, "soldados: os habeis portado como héroes combatiendo por la Reforma. Hoy vais a pelear por un objeto sagrado. Vais a pelear por la patria."
An interesting footnote, General Zaragoza visited the wounded French soldiers in the hospital and while he died of typhoid fever just a few months later, his legacy lived on, as Puebla de los Angeles was renamed Puebla de Zaragoza by Benito Juarez in September of 1862.
On June 5, 1864, Maximilian and Carlota arrived in Puebla de los Angeles. In October of the following year, Maximilian issued an order that all Mexicans that defended their homeland should be killed.
Continue reading "U.S.-Mexico: 2010 a Banner Year for Mexico - A country that still holds wonder" »
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