Intermediate Spanish Stories

Traditional Mexican handcrafted toys are those made by artisans rather than manufactured in factories. The history of Mexican toys extends as far back as the Mesoamerican era, but many of the toys date to the colonial period. Many of these were introduced as teaching tools by evangelists and they were associated with certain festivals and holidays.

These toys vary widely, including el trompo, el bolero, la matatena, las canicas, la lotería, las piñatas, and more—made of many materials, including wood, metal,  ceramic, and glass.
 
These toys remained popular throughout Mexico until the mid-20th century when commercially made, mostly plastic toys became widely available.

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This is part 3 of the Leyenda Series

In southern Mexico City, a gritty working-class neighborhood gives way to the famous canals of Xochimilco,  Xochimilco is one of the most popular destinations in Mexico City, principally for the miles of waterways that run through the area, the last remnants of a vast water transport system built by the Aztecs,  which have led to it being dubbed the Venice of Mexico. 

To this day, the community is known for its floating plant nurseries and vegetable gardens known as chinampas. Such is the importance of the flowers' presence in Xochimilco, that the meaning of its name is “flower field” in Nahuatl.

Xochimilco is well known for its chinampas and the trajinera rides take visitors on cruises throughout its channels, while food vendors, artisans, and mariachi bands float past. 

This place evokes ancient times when the Great Tenochtitlán was a city that stood out among its waters. Xochimilco is perhaps the last living link of the Aztec civilization.

Here are the other parts of the Leyenda Series: 

E09: Leyendas I: La Llorona
E17: Leyendas II: La Lechuza
E25: Leyendas III: El Monstruo de Xochimilco
E29: Leyendas IV: El Palacio de Lecumberri
E38 Leyendas V: Una Trágica Historia de Amor

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The Mexican Revolution was a complex and bloody conflict that arguably spanned two decades, and in which 900,000 people lost their lives. 

The Revolution began with a call to arms on 20th November 1910 to overthrow the current ruler and dictator Porfirio Díaz.
Díaz was an ambitious president, keen to develop Mexico into an industrial and modernized country. While he worked on implementing a capitalist society building factories, dams, and roads the rural workers and peasants suffered greatly.

Díaz reigned using a campaign of bullying, intimidating citizens into supporting him. While civil liberties such as the freedom of the press suffered under his rule, the greatest injustice came in the form of new land laws. Francisco I. Madero, who was responsible for removing Díaz from power, was a weak leader and failed to implement the land reforms he had promised.

He was quickly replaced by General Victoriano Huerta who had him executed within a week of coming to power. Huerta himself was a dictator and was overthrown by Venustiano Carranza in 1914.

The official end of the Mexican Revolution is often taken to be the creation of the Constitution of Mexico in 1917, however, the fighting continued long into the following decade.

Ultimately while the Mexican Revolution was aimed at ensuring a fairer way of life for the farming classes, many argue it achieved little more than the frequent change of leadership in the country. 

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November 11 is Veteran's Day in the United States and it is celebrated every November, Veterans Day honors all who have served in the U.S. military.

Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day and it is an opportunity to commemorate the contributions of living veterans publicly and to show appreciation toward them.

For much of the rest of the world and especially in Europe, it is Armistice Day, the day that marks the end of World War I. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 when the armistice was signed, over 20 million people had lost their lives.

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A dedication to the deceased

Day of the Dead (Dia De  Muertos) has its origins in the pre-Hispanic cultures of Latin America, and it is a Mexican holiday that honors deceased family members, friends, and ancestors.

It is a two-day holiday that reunites the living and dead. Families create "ofrendas" (Offerings) to honor their departed family members that have passed. These altars are decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of the departed, and the favorite foods and drinks of the one being honored.

The offerings are believed to encourage visits from the land of the dead as the departed souls hear their prayers, smell their foods, and join in the celebrations!

In Mexico, death is understood to be a natural part of life, so Día de Muertos is not a time of sadness, but rather a celebration of the departed, wishing them well on their journey, and feeling happy remembering them.

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Columbus Day celebrations in the United States – meant to honor the legacy of the man credited with “discovering” the New World – are almost as old as the nation itself. The earliest known Columbus Day celebration took place on Oct. 12, 1792, on the 300th anniversary of his landing. 

But since the 1990s, a growing number of states have begun to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day – a holiday meant to honor the culture and history of the people living in the Americas both before and after Columbus’ arrival. It is estimated that in the 130 years following first contact, Native America lost 95 percent of its population.

Indigenous Peoples of the Western Hemisphere immediately experienced enslavement and theft of resources by the explorers turned settlers. Colonies created by the Portuguese, Spanish, French, Dutch, and English grew throughout the Americas and increasingly encroached upon Native lives and lands.

Indigenous Peoples' Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October and recognizes the resilience and diversity of Indigenous Peoples in the United States and many Latin American countries. 

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While wildfires are a natural part of California’s landscape, the fire season in California and across the West is starting earlier and ending later each year. Climate change is considered a key driver of this trend.

Warmer spring and summer temperatures, reduced snowpack, and earlier spring snowmelt create longer and more intense dry seasons that increase moisture stress on vegetation and make forests more susceptible to severe wildfire. The length of fire season is estimated to have increased by 75 days across the Sierras and seems to correspond with an increase in the extent of forest fires across the state. National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) predicts portions of the Coast Ranges, Sierra, and the Cascades in California increasing to above normal fire danger in June and July and continuing through September.

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Independence Day (Día de la Independencia) is a Mexican holiday to celebrate the “cry of independence” on September 16, 1810, which started a revolt against Spanish rule.

Independence Day celebrates the day Miguel Hidalgo is believed to have made the cry of independence (El Grito de la Independencia) in the town of Dolores, in the north-central part of the Mexican state of Guanajuato. Hidalgo was one of the nation’s leaders during the War of Independence in Mexico.

Mexicans celebrate their country’s Independence Day with fireworks, parties (fiestas), food, dance, and music on September 16. Flags, flowers, and decorations in the colors of the Mexican flag – green, white and red – are seen in public areas in cities and towns in Mexico. Whistles and horns are blown and confetti is thrown to celebrate this festive occasion. "Viva Mexico" or "Viva la Independencia” are shouted amidst the crowds on this day.

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Twenty years ago, the nation watched transfixed as planes hijacked by terrorists crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, 2001. 

Nearly 3,000 people died as a result of the attacks, including the 19 hijackers from the Islamic extremist group, al-Qaida. It remains the deadliest foreign attack on U.S. soil.  

Two of the planes were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon just outside Washington, D.C., and the fourth plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Almost 3,000 people were killed during the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which triggered major U.S. initiatives to combat terrorism and defined the presidency of George W. Bush.

The events of that day forever transformed the country.

We Will Never Forget

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This is part 2 of the Leyenda Series

Owls have also long been viewed as harbingers of bad luck and even death. One myth tells us that bad luck will befall anyone who hears an owl hoot three times. Another wild myth claims that owls are the only creatures that can live with ghosts.

Since long before the first Halloween, witches have been linked to owls. The Romans and Greeks once believed that witches could actually transform themselves into owls.

Believe it or not, some people once actually harbored the notion that an owl calling near a home of a newborn baby could cause the child to die or even grow up to be a witch. At one time some people were also sure that an owl landing on the roof of a house was a sure sign that someone living in the house would soon die.

 Is it a bad omen to spot an owl at night? 

Here are the other parts of the Leyenda Series: 

E09: Leyendas I: La Llorona
E17: Leyendas II: La Lechuza
E25: Leyendas III: El Monstruo de Xochimilco
E29: Leyendas IV: El Palacio de Lecumberri
E38 Leyendas V: Una Trágica Historia de Amor

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Support the show

You will find the full transcript behind the show notes:  https://interspanish.buzzsprout.com

If you enjoy my work, please consider buying me a coffee. Your support means everything to me. Gracias. buymeacoffee.com/InterSpanish

If you have a story or topic you would like me to cover, please send your suggestions to: [email protected]

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https://linktr.ee/InterSpanish