Natalie Taylor

We have previously looked at the beginnings of the Black presence in New Spain. The arrival of a few African descendants with Hernan...

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...

One of the hidden historical facts is the influence of Africans on Mexican culture. Slavery throughout the Americas—Cuba, Brazil,...

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....

Imagine yourself walking along Insurgentes Street, starting at the site of the Biblioteca, then heading east toward the Ignacio Ramirez...

One afternoon in 1837, a nineteen year old student appeared in the halls of the prestigious Academy of Juan de Letran in Mexico City,...

The Oratorio church is one of the most attractive architectural buildings in San Miguel de Allende. It stands on an elevated platform...

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....

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...

The Saint Patrick Battalion Every year on September 12, a ceremony is held in Mexico City; an event that connects Mexico, the United...

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...

July 6 is International Kissing Day, a holiday that originated in the United Kingdom and was adopted worldwide in the early 2000s. It...

Have you ever wondered when the holiday celebrating motherhood originated? Did you know that it started in West Virginia, and that it was...

April 19 is an important date in the annals of literature, particularly for Mexicans. On that day in 1998 died one the great poets,...

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...

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...

Dia de la Constitucion—Constitution Day—is a national holiday in Mexico, and it marks a significant event in the nation’s history. On...

January 8 is the birthday of Francisco González Bocanegra, the Mexican poet and playwright who authored the lyrics of Himno Nacional...

The traditions involving the birth of Jesus on December 24, are not unique to Christians. Many other civilizations have had celebrations...

Having just gone through another Thanksgiving celebration with friends, enjoying the typical meal of turkey, different stuffing and side...