HISTORY: Notable African-Mexicans 16th to the 20th century
We have previously looked at the beginnings of the Black presence in New Spain. The arrival of a few African descendants with Hernan...
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Natalie Taylor
Jul 296 min read
HISTORICAL FACTS: Names and their origins
As in most Latin American cultures, people in Mexico have two surnames. The first is the father’s, and the second is the mother’s family...
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Natalie Taylor
Jul 225 min read
HISTORY OF SAN MIGUEL: African legacy in Mexico
One of the hidden historical facts is the influence of Africans on Mexican culture. Slavery throughout the Americas—Cuba, Brazil,...
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Natalie Taylor
Jul 75 min read
HISTORY OF SAN MIGUEL: The beginnings of African heritage
In my last two posts I wrote about the ancient Mulatto chapel in San Miguel, and how it eventually was taken over by the Oratory church....
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Natalie Taylor
Jun 306 min read
HISTORY OF SAN MIGUEL: The Mulatto chapel Part 2
Imagine yourself walking along Insurgentes Street, starting at the site of the Biblioteca, then heading east toward the Ignacio Ramirez...
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Natalie Taylor
Jun 145 min read
STORIES OF SAN MIGUEL: A native son and his home
One afternoon in 1837, a nineteen year old student appeared in the halls of the prestigious Academy of Juan de Letran in Mexico City,...
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Natalie Taylor
Jun 114 min read
THE HISTORY OF SAN MIGUEL: The ancient Mulatto chapel
The Oratorio church is one of the most attractive architectural buildings in San Miguel de Allende. It stands on an elevated platform...
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Natalie Taylor
Jun 25 min read
STORIES OF SAN MIGUEL: Lesser known historical events
If you have followed some of my stories about San Miguel de Allende, you may recall that many of them are legends, not based on reality....
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Natalie Taylor
Apr 214 min read
STORIES OF SAN MIGUEL: Father Eusebio Espinosa
One of the fascinating aspects of San Miguel is its long reach into the past. The founding of the city goes back to 1492, 50 years after...
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Natalie Taylor
Sep 10, 20235 min read
A FOOTNOTE FOR ONE, A MAJOR HISTORICAL EVENT FOR ANOTHER
The Saint Patrick Battalion Every year on September 12, a ceremony is held in Mexico City; an event that connects Mexico, the United...
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Natalie Taylor
Aug 22, 20233 min read
THE MINGLING OF HISTORIES: San Miguel and Guanajuato
This weekend I visited one of our close neighbors, the City of Guanajuato, capital of the state by the same name. Guanajuato City and San...
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Natalie Taylor
Jul 8, 20235 min read
SEALED WITH A KISS
July 6 is International Kissing Day, a holiday that originated in the United Kingdom and was adopted worldwide in the early 2000s. It...
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Natalie Taylor
May 12, 20233 min read
MOTHER’S DAY: LOVE AND FLOWERS
Have you ever wondered when the holiday celebrating motherhood originated? Did you know that it started in West Virginia, and that it was...
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Natalie Taylor
Apr 15, 20234 min read
“DESERVE WHAT YOU DREAM”: REMEMBERING OCTAVIO PAZ
April 19 is an important date in the annals of literature, particularly for Mexicans. On that day in 1998 died one the great poets,...
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Natalie Taylor
Mar 3, 20235 min read
WOMEN OF SAN MIGUEL WHO DID IT THEIR WAY
So much of history, including the history of San Miguel, revolves around men who made a difference. We all know that women’s place in...
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Natalie Taylor
Feb 19, 20233 min read
VICTOR HUGO’S BIRTHDAY AND HIS WISH FOR YOU
Victor Marie Hugo was born on February 26, 1802 and is one of the greatest French writers. When you mention the name of Victor Hugo, most...
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Natalie Taylor
Feb 4, 20233 min read
CONSTITUTION DAY: February 5
Dia de la Constitucion—Constitution Day—is a national holiday in Mexico, and it marks a significant event in the nation’s history. On...
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Natalie Taylor
Jan 8, 20233 min read
A MEXICAN POET FOREVER REMEMBERED
January 8 is the birthday of Francisco González Bocanegra, the Mexican poet and playwright who authored the lyrics of Himno Nacional...
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Natalie Taylor
Dec 25, 20224 min read
‘TIS THE SEASON FOR SYNCRETISM
The traditions involving the birth of Jesus on December 24, are not unique to Christians. Many other civilizations have had celebrations...
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Natalie Taylor
Nov 28, 20224 min read
THE FIRST THANKSGIVING: Spanish sailors, not English Pilgrims!
Having just gone through another Thanksgiving celebration with friends, enjoying the typical meal of turkey, different stuffing and side...
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