Mexico turns the big 200
Story and photos by Bob Schulman
If you're just about anywhere in Mexico on Sept. 15, don't be surprised to find the local folks whooping it up on the streets while brass bands march around under a sky full of booming fireworks. What you'll have walked into is, a countrywide party celebrating the bicentennial of Mexico's independence from Spain.
And look for a repeat of all the hoop-la on Nov. 20 when Mexico marks the 100th anniversary of a revolution that tossed out an oppressive government.
Events are expected to be especially colorful in some 100 cities around the country on eight special tour routes, four linked to the bicentennial celebration and four to the centennial fete.
Among hot spots on the bicentennial routes are Dolores Hidalgo, where Father Miguel Hidalgo delivered his fiery “grito”-- a call to arms – to launch the war for independence, and Guanajuato, a rich silver-mining town that became the site of the war's first battle. Parades and other high-profile events are planned at these central Mexico cities and in Mexico City on Sept. 16 and Nov. 20.
In Dolores Hidalgo, visitors can wander around the church where the famous father – he's also known as “the father of the nation” (as well as “dad” to a number of his kids) – sounded the grito. On display in a nearby building is the bell he rang to summon the townspeople to what became the country's battle cry for independence.
Spotlighted on the centennial routes are historic sites relating to the nearly 10 years of violence between the time patriot leader (later to become president) Francisco Madero sparked a national revolt on Nov. 20, 1910, and the end of the war. Along the way are many battlesites where two revolutionary generals -- whose names may be familiar to visitors from the U.S. -- slugged it out with the forces of dictator Porfirio Diaz. On one route, Gen. Pancho Villa led the patriot army of northen Mexico; on another, Gen. Emiliano Zapata led the army of the south.
The eight new sightseeing routes are in addition to 10 previously announced cultural, historic and gastronomic routes recently debuted by the Mexican government. The latter wind through some 90 cities across the country including several of the same destinations on the bicentennial/centennial tours.
More info: Google bicentenario.visitmexico.com and click “Translate this page” in the first listing under the Tip paragraph.
