February 5th marks the anniversary of the enactment of the Mexican Constitution. This date is considered a holiday and mandatory leisure day in the Federal Labor Law, so there are no classes in schools and most people do not work. Beyond the holiday, how can we explain what the Constitution is and why it is so important to our children?
The leisure day will be on Monday
In 2022, February 5th is on a Saturday so, as established by law, the celebration will take place on the following Monday to have a long weekend break. This policy is applied in many countries and the objective is to promote regional tourism.
The citizens can make small trips, take a longer break, do recreational activities and thereby boost the country’s economy.
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What the Mexican Constitution is: Explanation for children
The Mexican Constitution is the supreme law of Mexico. This is a very important book because it contains all the fundamental rules that rule our country.
It is the highest law that contains the principles and objectives of the nation. It establishes the existence of organs of authority (their powers and limitations), the rights of people and the ways to make them effective. It explains and defines the relationship between:
- The three branches of government: legislative (those who make the laws such as deputies and senators), executive (the president) and the judicial (judges, prosecutors and magistrates).
- The three orders of government (federal, state and municipal).
- Citizens.
It is made up of 136 articles and 19 transitory ones distributed in nine titles.
Throughout the Constitution, it is addressed in detail, the Human Rights of Mexicans and foreigners, the form of Government, National Sovereignty and responsibilities of public servants, among others.
Why is February 5th commemorated?
We celebrate it that day because it was promulgated on February 5th, 1917 by Venustiano Carranza, the first head of the Constitutionalist Army.
At first, the idea was to reform the Constitution of 1857, but as a consequence of the Mexican Revolution it was necessary to adjust the law to the new reality in the country, so a new Constitution was drafted.
Finally, after two months of debate, the Constituent Congress closed sessions on February 5th, 1917 at the Gran Teatro Iturbide, today Teatro de la República, located in the city of Querétaro.
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Main articles of the Mexican Constitution
Through the document La Constitución al alcance de los niños (The Constitution for children), available in the library of the Chamber of Deputies, the most important articles that children should know are explained.
Article 1. Principle of equality
All people enjoy the same rights and must comply with the obligations established by law. Women, men, girls, boys, everyone is equal before the law.
Article 2. Be free from discrimination
No one should be discriminated because of ethnic or national origin, sexual preference, social condition or ideology.
Article 3. Right of education
It is compulsory at basic levels and optional at advanced levels. Freedom of teaching and research is also established.
Article 5. Freedom of work
The type of work we want to do is a decision that must be made freely.
Article 6. Freedom of speech
We all have the right to express our ideas without any type of retaliation, as long as it does not attack morality, private life, the rights of third parties or that it provokes any crime or disturbs public order.
Article 7. Freedom of transmission (circulation of ideas)
“The freedom to spread opinions, information and ideas through any means is always permitted”, says the Constitution.
Article 9. Freedom of association
Freedom of association is the right that all people have to organize peaceful meetings, create organizations with other people or join existing ones, to work in favor of our interests and the exercise of our rights.
Article 24. Freedom of worship
Our Constitution states that every person has the right to choose his religion, individually or in association.
Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver Manrique de Lara
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