Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Mexico has a number of Fiestas Patrias, and the one coming up next is the November 20th celebration of the anniversary of the Mexican Revolution. Well, it's called November 20th, although it's now officially celebrated on the third Monday of November, which this year falls on the 19th.

The Mexican Revolution, which began November 20th, 1910, ended dictatorship in Mexico and established a constitutional republic. A principal legacy of the Revolution is the current Mexican Constitution, drafted in 1917 in the central Mexican city of Queretaro, under the leadership of Venustiano Carranza. It’s still in use today, albeit with many amendments.

A number of groups, led by revolutionaries including Francisco Madero, Pascual Orozco, Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata, participated in the long and costly conflict.

Though Francisco I. Madero started the Revolution, and later became president, the two most colorful revolutionary leaders were Pancho Villa, the "Centaur of the North," and Emiliano Zapata, leader of the "Liberation Army of the South." They've also made the deepest impression on the Mexican people.

Throughout Mexico, there are streets and monuments named for the various heroes of the Mexican Revolution, principally Madero, Zapata, Villa and Carranza, and Mexican schools teach its importance. It's a key part of Mexican national identity, and a time of celebration with music, parades, and cultural activities.

As we celebrate the National Holiday here in Vallarta, most people will have the day off from work so they can enjoy fiestas and the parade that winds through downtown. Banks, government offices and about half of the businesses will be closed on Monday, but plenty of Puerto Vallarta restaurants will be open so you can wrap up the festivities with an authentic Mexican dinner.

We wish all of our readers, wherever they may be, a happy Mexican Revolution Day!