History

• Once Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821, the tricolor flag was created. After four slight variations, the present-day flag was officially adopted in 1868.
  
  

Significance

• The colors of the flag were originally; green on the left for independence, white in the center for Catholicism and red for the union of the Spanish-speaking Americans and Europeans. But under President Benito Juarez (who governed Mexico from 1858 to 1872), the meanings of the colors changed. Green meant hope. White meant unity. And red represented the spilled blood of Mexico's heroes.
  
  

Features

• Aside form the colors, the vertical tricolor displays the Mexican Coat of Arms, The eagle standing on a cactus clutching a serpent is taken from an old Aztec legend that tells of how the Aztecs found the site to build their capital of Tenochtitlan, which now is Mexico City.
  
  

Protocol

• Mexicans show respect for the flag when it is displayed by standing at attention with their right arm over their chests with the palm facing downward.
  
  

Holiday

• Mexicans honor their flag on Feb. 24 with the holiday of El Dia de la Bandera. It started in 1937.