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have been several changes to our National Flag: During the WAR OF
Independence against the Napoleonic rule of Spain ("Grito de
Dolores"), father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla waved a flag with
the image of the Virgen of Guadalupe; it is considered to be the first
proper Mexican flag.
In 1813, rebel
forces designed another National flag, consisting of a white silk
flag surrounded by blue and white squares; the centre showed an
eagle on a cactus, she wore an Imperial crown and an emblem around
with the legend in latin "Oculis et unguibus asque victrix",
meaning: "with eyes and talons, equally victorious".
The National
Flag was created in 1821 by the "Three Guaranties" Army,
as the Plan of Iguala was proclaimed; this one promised to establish
three guaranties: religion, independence and union. The three colours
that were adopted and formed the Mexican flag were: green for independence,
white for purity of religion and red for the union of Americans
and Iberians. This Flag was endorsed by the signatories of the pact
of Independence: the Royal Army official Agustín de Iturbide
and the rebel Vicente Guerrero.
During the few
years that the First Mexican Empire lasted, there was a decree that
the flag should change position; on the white fringe edges the eagle
was settled alone, with her wings open and the head was on the side,
wearing the Imperial Crown.
In 1823, the
Constitutional Republican Congress decreed that the Emblem be presented
according to the Indian tradition: the eagle on the side and posing
on a cactus eating a serpent and without the Imperial Crown.
The National
Emblem was initially introduced on the flag during the Second Empire
of Maximilian of Hapsburg, when a flag with the eagle under the
Imperial Crown was adopted. Then, long dictator President Porfirio
Díaz ordered the eagle to be set frontwards with her wings
extended. After, the emblem was transformed again by Revolutionary
President Venustiano Carranza, who decided that the eagle be put
on its left side and that it kept the Mexicans conception of the
founding of Great Tenochtitlan (the old Aztec Mexico City). Additionally
a tricolour ribbon was included signifying the patriotic unity joining
the branches of encino and laurel.
As from 24 February
1937, the day of the Flag is celebrated at the monument of General
Vicente Guerrero, the first Mexican soldier to swear allegiance
to the Flag in the event known as the "holding of Acatempan"
of 12 March 1821.
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