The Political Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1917 is the present constitution of Mexico. It was drafted in Santiago de Querétaro by a Constitutional Convention during the Mexican Revolution. It was approved by the Constitutional Congress on February 5, 1917, with Venustiano Carranza serving as the first president under its terms.
I know what you, dear reader, are thinking "Melissa!!! Why are you filling your blog with BORING historical facts!?!?!?"
I'm so glad you asked... BECAUSE this constitution was ground-breaking and it is interesting. Just read a few of the things that changed for Mexico...
- Education became available and free for all!
- ALL of the resources (land, soil & water) in Mexico now officially belonged to the people of Mexico.
- And my favorite:
"Article 123 protects the workers. It states that the working day may not exceed eight hours, instead of the twelve or fifteen hours in force beforehand, and that there must be an obligatory day of rest every week. It prohibits women and children from engaging in activities that are not suitable for their gender or age. It also recognizes that workers have the right to form trade unions (associations to protect their interests), and to strike (stop working to pressure their employers when labor conflicts arise)."
I know that many of my friends have lovingly labeled me the Little Socialist... but this kind of stuff truly excites me. I am aware that things aren't perfect in Mexico... most of the time it's not even close to perfect. BUT I think that the most progressive constitution of its time deserves a shoutout on it's birthday. Don't you?
Check out Wikipedia's entry on the Constitution of Mexico.
This one is for kids BUT is the clearest.
1 comment:
Boring?? Not to me, haha, I have to say it worked well for a long time. Now it needs lots of reforms and that people and government start following what is says.
It was nice seeing you, dont get lost ok?
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