Today is Mexican Revolution Day Dia de la Revolucion.

Mexican Revolucion Day is the official Mexican holiday celebrating the Mexican Revolution of 1910, which led eventually to significant political, economic and Constitutional reform. The holiday commemorates the day in 1910 when Francisco I. Madero declared a National Insurrection against the government of 30-year dictator General Porfirio Díaz. Although the Díaz government made many positive changes in Mexico—introducing several new industries, expanding the railroad and increasing foreign investment—and Díaz himself was highly respected around the world, the lives of average people were not improved. As unrest grew among the populace, Díaz crushed several uprisings. In response to the unrest, Díaz announced that national elections would be held in 1910. Madero, founder of the Anti-Reelectionist Party, was chosen as the party's presidential candidate. Fearing defeat as the election approached, Díaz had Madero imprisoned, rigged the elections and declared himself the winner of the election and president once more. Madero declared the elections fraudulent and invalid, and called for a national uprising on this day in 1910. Uprising took place in several states and Díaz was eventually forced to resign. Madero was elected President of Mexico in new elections held in 1911. Political unrest continued, however, among the revolutionaries and Díaz supporters alike, and Madero was captured and killed. Although fighting continued until 1920, the Constitution was revised in 1917 and remains in effect today.

ARTSEDGE
In Five Artists of the Mexican Revolution (9-12), students research the major events and personalities in the Mexican Revolution, and explore how these people and events influenced the art being created at that time in Mexico.

In Corridos About the Mexican Revolution (9-12), students are introduced to causes of the Mexican Revolution and key revolutionary figures. They gain an understanding of a particular Mexican song form, the corrido, and its role as a vehicle for communicating the news and other important events.

In the second lesson from the unit, Form and Theme in the Traditional Mexican Corrido (9-12), students analyze the themes and literary devices used in corridos such as "El Corrido de Gregorio Cortez" and "El Moro de Cumpas". Corridos about conflicts along the U.S.-Mexican border after 1910, largely caused by an influx of people fleeing the Revolution, are examined.

The Look-Listen-Learn feature Corridos (9-12) highlights lessons, how-to features and multimedia resources related to the traditional Mexican ballad form, the corrido. Audio clips of corridos about key figures in the Mexican Revolution are included.

ReadWriteThink
Students study the basic elements of Mexican history in Using Timeline Games and Mexican History to Improve Comprehension (3-5). They then use online resources to gather the information they need to make an illustrated timeline. The timelines use a different card for each event; students mix up their cards and challenge other students to put them back in order, teaching each other what they have learned. The amount of research required can be adapted for each student's ability.