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 Jaltemba Sol Free Spanish Lessons

Día de La Constitución

 

This day celebrates the 1917 Constitution of the United States of Mexico that was ratified after the Mexican Revolution on February 5 1917 in Santiago de Querétaro.


The Mexican Revolution began with a call to arms by Francisco Madero on November 20 1910. It was a period of tremendous social unrest; political and military conflict characterized the period with an estimated 900,000 deaths of the 1910 15 million population. Dictator Portirio Diaz Mori was overthrown and Madero became president. In 1913 Madero was deposed and civil war engulfed the republic. Various political and armed military groups vied for power.


The proclamation of the 1917 constitution helped to end this conflict and signified the official end of the revolution.


The Constitution prescribes the 31 states and federal district that comprise the federal republic and outlines the powers of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the government. It also outlines the role of the president regarding proclamation of laws.


Considered the first modern Socialist constitution, it asserts Mexico’s rights over its natural resources, recognizes labor and social rights, and the separation of church and state. It places stringent restrictions on property ownership by foreigners and the church and restricts the church from any political activities including public education. It also allows broad rights for the government to expropriate and redistribute lands.