As you’ve probably noticed, most Mexican street names are based on important moments in Mexican history or the luminaries who led them. Here is Part One of our articles on common Mexican street names – all of which can be found in Chapala, often multiple times.
INDEPENDENCIA
The war for independence from the Spanish began in 1810. It was bloody and tragic, like much of Mexican history, but culminated in Mexican independence in 1821. Some of the names you will be familiar with:
Ignacio ALLENDE ( (1769-1811 ). He was a captain in the Spanish army who became the military leader of the movement for Mexican independence. Born in the small village of San Miguel in the state of Guanajuato ( now world-famous SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE ) he was caught and executed in Chihuahua in 1811. Knowing he needed a charismatic priest to rally the people, Allende enlisted MIGUEL HIDALGO Y COSTILLA ( that’s the name of Guadalajara airport and the main carretera between Chapala and Ajijic ). In the village of Dolores, a few miles away in Guanajuato, Hidalgo is famous for his rallying cry ” EL GRITO ” ( the shout or cry ) which is reproduced by modern Mexican presidents – and the mayor of Chapala – on Mexican Independence Day, 16 DE SEPTIEMBRE, every year. He was also caught and executed with Allende in 1811.
REVOLUCION
Not to be confused with the war of Independence, the Mexican Revolution happened in 1911 after over 30 years of dictatorship of PORFIRIO DIAZ (1830-1915 ). It was led by FRANCISCO MADERO ( the main street in Chapala is named after him). Madero’s story is a sad one. Initially requiring the allegiance of all of Porfirio Diaz’s henchmen, he took them at their word despite warnings from his brother. With the corrupt help of the U>S ambassador of the time, after initially pledging loyalty, he was betrayed and assassinated – along with his brother- by Victoriano Huerta. Madero was president for just three months.
And finally in this installment, who WERE those NINOS HEROES?
Six cadets – and don’t feel TOO cheated when you find out that they weren’t all “ninos” – fought a battle in which they all perished in 1847. This was during the U.S. intervention in Mexico.The battle was the battle of Chapultepec – now the famous park in Mexico City – and the memorial to their valor has prominence on the hill next to the castle.