Mexico City's 700th anniversary celebration takes place this year
Mexico City, the political, economic, and cultural heart of Mexico, is preparing to celebrate its 700th anniversary in 2025. The city, originally named Tenochtitlan, was founded on an island in Lake Texcoco in 1325 and served as the capital of the growing Aztec Empire.
Allan Wall, writing for Mexico News Report, shares that the Aztecs employed ingenious engineering techniques to build and maintain Tenochtitlan on a lake. The city, described by Bernal Diaz del Castillo, a soldier of Cortes, as appearing like enchanted things from a book of Amadis, was a marvel to the Spaniards when they first arrived in 1519.
However, in 1521, Tenochtitlan was destroyed after the Aztecs were defeated. The city was then rebuilt as a Spanish-style city by the Spaniards, using the same stones. Today, archaeologists continue to uncover remnants of the Aztec past, such as the recent discovery of new sections of an Aztec skull tower in Mexico City.
As Mexico City moves forward, it is careful to acknowledge its history. The city is avoiding conquest references by changing street names and statues, reflecting a shift towards a more inclusive and respectful representation of its past. The Mexico City Post has published an article about the upcoming anniversary, sharing that Mexico City is preparing celebrations for seven centuries of history.
Mexico City, now one of the world's biggest metropolitan areas and a world-class city with many tourist attractions, is a testament to its rich history. It is the biggest Spanish-speaking city in the world and a hub of culture, art, and politics.
Despite its Aztec and Spanish roots, Mexico is not typically classified as a socialist country. While there are elements of socialism in some policies and political movements, the country's economic and political systems do not align with those of a socialist state. The country's recent political developments, like the election of Hugo Aguilar Ortiz, an indigenous Mixtec and former associate of the Zapatistas, to a high judicial position, reflect a diversity of political influences but do not signify a shift towards socialism.
Mexico faces challenges similar to those in other countries, such as neoliberal reforms and economic pressures, which are not characteristic of a socialist system. However, the city's resilience and adaptability are evident in its continued growth and success.
As Mexico City celebrates its 700th anniversary, it honours its Aztec roots and Spanish legacy, looking towards the future with a sense of pride and determination.
The city's upcoming 700th anniversary celebrations, as reported by The Mexico City Post, not only honor its rich history but also provide an opportunity to showcase the blend of its Aztec roots and Spanish lifestyle, echoing in its home-and-garden layout and cultural practices. The remnants of the Aztec past, such as the recent discovery of new sections of an Aztec skull tower, serve as a reminder of the city's unique home-and-garden history, intertwined with its lifestyle evolution.
