Next Thursday, February 5, we commemorate in the country the promulgation of the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States of 1917, a document that defines the rights, obligations and organization of the country.
Promulgated at the Theater of the Republic in Querétaro, The Constitution became a milestone by integrating social, civil and labor rights, a result of the Constituent Congress convened after the Mexican Revolution. Since its entry into force, it has been the basis of the country’s legal and political order.
History and relevance
The Constitution was promulgated in 1917 and replaced the one from 1857 to respond to the social demands arising from the Mexican Revolution; The changes with respect to the first one were the following:
- The system of direct elections was ratified.
- They decreed no presidential re-election.
- The figure of vice presidency was eliminated.
- The Judiciary gained more autonomy.
- The Federation entities obtained greater sovereignty.
- The free municipality was created.
- An agrarian system was established in the country regarding land ownership.
- Freedom of worship, free secular education and freedom of expression were determined.
- The maximum work day of 8 hours and freedom of association for workers were established.
Curious facts about the Constitution
February 5 is the official and mandatory rest date; However, it is located during the week, so it goes to the first Monday of the month, promoting a megabridgebecause the previous Friday, basic education students did not have classes due to the School Technical Council to which teachers attend on the last Friday of each month.
Other curious facts are:
- It was the first constitution in history that included social rights.
- They keep it in the security vault of the General Archive of the Nation, in a special box made with acid-free materials.
- It consists of 136 articles, divided into nine titles, and 19 transitional articles.
- 209 deputies signed it.
- The first reformed article was article 73, during the government of Álvaro Obregón in May 1921.
- It is said that the Mexican Constitution was signed with the same pen as the Plan of Guadalupe in 1913.
- Article 73 is the one dedicated to the powers of Congress and is the one that has been most reformed throughout history.
- It has been translated into more than 23 indigenous languages.
- The articles were handwritten by Perfecto Arvizu Acaute, the official calligrapher of Congress.
- The constitutional debates began on December 1, 1916 at the Iturbide Theater, Querétaro, and concluded on January 31, 1917.
- It has been translated into more than 23 indigenous languages.
- The names of the constituent states and deputies of 1917 are inscribed on the stage of the Theater of the Republic.
- It has come to have more than 20 errata.
