history Archives - Page 28 of 47

Abraham Lincoln and Mexico: A history of courage, intrigue and unlikely friendships

June 19, 2020July 24, 2022 Tony6846Leave a Comment

Available from Amazon Books: Paperback or Kindle The United States and Mexico struggled through volatile years of suffering and carnage to become unified nations. Michael Hogan’s thoroughly researched and passionately written Abraham Lincoln and Mexico is a thought-provoking read that covers part of that struggle from 1822, when Americans settlers first arrived on Mexican territory, to 1867, when […]

The Masks Of Mexico (Part 2)

June 19, 2020September 15, 2021 Tony76322 Comments

(Part 1) The coming of the Spaniards in 1519 drastically altered the political and religious life of pre-Hispanic America. Cortes, with the help of his mercenaries and priests, decimated the ruling elite and wiped out the existing theocracy, but try as they might, they could not destroy the people’s love and need for ritual. The […]

The masks of Mexico: Las mascaras de Mexico

The Masks Of Mexico (Part 1)

June 19, 2020August 8, 2020 Tony15661Leave a Comment

“While we are alive, we cannot escape from masks or names. We are inseparable from our fictions – our features.” Octavio Paz When I arrived in Mexico City in 1967, the first unexpected delight to catch my attention was the incredible array of masks that popped up everywhere in the city. Some stared at me […]

Saturnino Herran: A Bright Light Too Soon Extinguished

June 19, 2020August 8, 2020 Tony164132 Comments

At least ten years before the “Big Three” – Rivera, Orozco, Siqueiros – came into their own as world-renown muralists, a lone painter was setting the groundwork. His name was Saturnino Herran. He was the first Mexican artist to envision the concept of a totally Mexican art. And he laid the foundation for the development […]

Sixteenth century indigenous Jalisco

June 19, 2020 Tony111651 Comment

Jalisco is La Madre Patria (the Mother Country) for millions of Mexican Americans. Given this fact, it makes sense that many sons and daughters of Jalisco are curious about the cultural and linguistic roots of their indigenous ancestors. The modern state of Jalisco consists of 31,152 square miles (80,684 square kilometers) located in the west […]

A mestizo family in colonial Mexico: photo of a painting in the Casa Jose Cuervo, Tequila, Jalisco © Sergio Wheeler, 2011

The best records in the world: aids for genealogical research in Mexico

June 19, 2020 Tony5972Leave a Comment

Many people look to Mexico as a nation rich in mineral resources, cultural antiquities and historical significance. Indeed, it is this… and much more. But many people, aware of Mexico’s tumultuous past, a history full of political strife and turmoil, don’t realize that – in spite of its difficult periods – Mexico has an extraordinary […]

Indigenous Mexico: an overview

June 19, 2020June 17, 2021 Tony7751Leave a Comment

The Republic of Mexico is a very large country, boasting a total area of almost 1,978,000 square kilometers (760,000 square miles) and a population of 103,400,165 (July 2002 estimate). With its central government located in Mexico City, Mexico has a national culture, held together by the Spanish language, which is the primary means of communication […]

Campeche: on the edge of the Maya world

June 19, 2020June 19, 2020 Tony6887Leave a Comment

Located in the southwestern portion of the Yucatán Peninsula along the Gulf of Mexico, the State of Campeche was named after the ancient Maya Kingdom of Ah Kin Pech (Canpech). Campeche is bounded on the north and northeast by the State of Yucatán, on the east by the State of Quintana Roo, on the southeast […]

The indigenous past of Zacatecas

June 19, 2020 Tony343541 Comment

Millions of Americans today look to the Mexican state of Zacatecas as their ancestral homeland. But it is very difficult to locate historical information on Zacatecas in the English language media. As a result, many Zacatecanos know little or nothing about the region in which their ancestors lived for thousands of years. If you look […]

S commented on Bringing your boat to Mexico: I am American and keep my sailboat in Mexico at a
Tony commented on The Preclassic or Formative Period ( 1500 BC – 300 AD ): Perhaps, but I don't think anyone really knows the
Ashley commented on The Preclassic or Formative Period ( 1500 BC – 300 AD ): Why did they make the gigantic stone heads? Was it
Leona commented on Mexico’s Black heritage: the Costa Chica of Guerrero and Oaxaca: Hopefully one day Mexicans can acknowledge their b
Helene Hoffman commented on A brief history of the Jews in Mexico: Fascinating article. I lived in a village in Yucat