Cozumel celebrated Flag Day on Sunday, along with the rest of Mexico. Mexicans remember their national heritage and the meaning of the red, white and green bandera every year, on February 24th.

The flag downtown.

Locals attended a ceremony on the seafront downtown with school children, the municipal authorities and the Mexican armed forces.

The celebration marks the victory of Mexicans in the War of Independence against the Spanish, a struggle that lasted 11 years.

On the same day in 1821, Agustín de Iturbide and Vicente Guerrero, leaders of forces against the Spanish, ended the struggle when they officially declared Mexican independence in their Plan de Iguala.

The plan set out 3 guarantees for all Mexicans represented by the colors of the flag:

Red - the union and equality of all Mexicans, of Spanish or native ascent.

White - the Catholic church.

Green - the independence of Mexico.

The Mexican War of Independence began in 1810 with the Grito de Dolores. That anniversary is celebrated every year on September 16th, Mexican Independence Day.

See our Tourist Information section for more Cozumel events.