February 24 – Mexico Flag Day

The flag, along with the coat of arms and the national anthem, are the symbols that represent and unite the Mexican nation.

The Mexican Flag Day was established on February 24, 1934. However, this national commemoration was officially recognized until 1940 by decree of President Lazaro Cardenas del Rio.

In 1821, Agustin de Iturbide was inspired to give guarantees to Mexicans by declaring the independence of Mexico, that is when the flag was born.

In the declaration of the Iguala plan, Agustin de Iturbide carried a flag named “three guarantees” (green, white and red), but in diagonal stripes. The colors of the flag guaranteed some rights: white represented the Catholic religion; green represented the independence of Mexico before Spain and red the equality and the union of the Mexicans with the Spaniards and the castes.

At the end of the Empire of Agustin de Iturbide in 1823, the Constituent Congress officially established the National Flag preserving the colors green, white and red, but with some changes: the imperial crown was removed from the eagle and the republican symbols of the branches were added, laurel and oak.

In the middle of the 19th century, with the arrival of Benito Juarez to the presidency of the country, the meaning of its colors was changed, as a consequence of the separation of the state with the church: Green: Hope; White: Unity and Red: the blood of national heroes.

The Mexican Flag Day date is a normal working day in Mexico.

Celebrations Related: Mexican Army Day